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I already delved into all the skincare goodies I’m bringing for our Christmas trip away here I thought it was only natural to show what will make it into my holiday makeup bag. I say a bag, lets be honest I’m bringing a couple of bags I’m not gonna lie ๐Ÿ™‚

My makeup bag is definitely overflowing, but as I said in skincare post I like to be prepared!

First up is eye products.

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I’m bringing 3 palettes, excessive I know, don’t judge, one of the zpalettes does contain my Inglot blushes though and a yellow under eye setting powder so it’s kind of ok, right? ๐Ÿ™‚

irish beauty blog beautynookI’m bringing the new Urban Decay Gwen Palette which I have swatches of here I bloomin’ love this palette and don’t want to be without. Also some Makeup Geek shadows in a zpalette and then the palette of a few Inglot shadows and some blushes.

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Eye primer is essential in my world so I have a mini Urban Decay Primer Potion being added to my makeup bag. Then, in case I’m feeling posh I’m going to pack the Charlotte Tilbury cream shadow in Bette, I have a full review of this here. Rather than a black gel liner I have been loving using a dark grey one at the minute so I’m bringing my Inglot matte gel liner in 78. Then two kohl pencils. A grey L’Oreal one and a brown one from Rimmel.

beauty blog beautynookThe rest of my eye goodies consist of lashes, my fave individuals from Penneys, a pair of Amazing Shine lashes that I love, you can now buy these in Mr Price which is really handy. Then some Duo glue to apply them, an eyelash curler from Shu Uemura and finally some Catrice Glamour Doll Waterproof mascara, I have a full review of this here I love it ๐Ÿ™‚

For the face, of course I am going to bring a few options because I am very fickle, and like to change my mind…alot. Also I think you need day time options and night time options too.

irish makeup and beauty blogThe Botanice Radiance Balm is coming. I have a review of this here The primer I have been using for the last while is the Wet n Wild Coverall. I really like it for my oily skin. I have the Estee Lauder Double Wear Light in a shade darker in case I get a little bit of colour, I can mix it with my tried and tested Rimmel Lasting Finish Nude foundation (review here) and a tester of the Makeup For Ever Ultra HD which I really like too. I’m also bringing the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot which is such a weird product. It’s a cream blotting stick and it bloody works!

irish beauty and makeup blogMy concealer choices for the week are my beloved Mac Full Coverage foundation. I love using this as a concealer. Then, my favourite under eye concealers of the moment (again another full review here ๐Ÿ™‚ The Flormar Perfect Coverage and the Catrice Liquid Camouflage.

irish beauty blog beautynookirish blog beautynookPowders consist of four faves…yep four I have problems ha! I have Nars Laguna in this really cool palette (it’s called Tahiti) and it comes with a mini Ita brush! Then the Chanel Vitalumiere Powder Foundation, sorry for dropping all of the links but I reviewed this too . the cult classic Champagne Pop from Becca is coming, I have this reviewed too here .The last one on the right then is to bring with me for touch ups, it’s the Mac Studio Fix Powder.

beautyblogbeauty bloggerFor contouring (and cream highlighting) I have a couple of old reliables. The Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium (yep review here ๐Ÿ™‚ and the Smashbox contour and highlight sticks (demo here ๐Ÿ™‚

irish blogger beautynookBrow products consist of the Soap & Glory Archery Pencil, then three Billion Dollar Brow products, you can buy these from Boots. I have their brow brush, brow powder and brow gel.

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I have a full colour spectrum of lip choices to choose from going into my makeup bag. A red from Tom Ford called Cherry Lush, a Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Ping Pong, Essence liquid lipstick in Show Off (review here) and then one of the Rimmel The Only One Lipsticks in Naughty Nude (I have a load of these swatched here) A couple of lip liners join the crew too. Rimmel Eastend Snob and Mac Whirl.

nima brush

To apply all the slap some brushes are essential, right? I have the Nima Brush Girls On Tour travel set, I’m so excited to use these beauties, you can see them up closer here. I have a mini Mac 217, a random mini flat Nars brush and a big Powder n Pout P230 which I have yet to try so the hollier will be a good test. I think these will keep me going for the week, right?

 

That’s all the makeup that will make it into my suitcase. I’m definitely an overpacker I know, a couple of makeup bags will be needed.

If you want to have a nose at what I get up to, be sure to follow me on Snapchat. I love snapping. My username over their is ‘Beautynook’.

As always thank you so so much for reading ๐Ÿ™‚

xxx

Sometimes I forget that most people aren’t as obsessed with makeup and beauty products as much as me.I assume that everyone knows all the little tips and tricks that I’ve picked up along the way being a self confessed beauty addict.

This is not always the case, so I’ve set up a new little section to Beautynook called Beautynook Tips (unique name I know ๐Ÿ™‚ I just want to keep it simple. Some of it may be common knowledge, some of it may not be, let’s just see where the wind takes us ๐Ÿ™‚

So my first Beautynook Tip is going to be How To Keep Your Eyelashes Curled All Day.

I myself have pretty straight boring lashes, nothing to brag about or be proud of, so on a day to day basis I always put a little extra effort in to make them look a bit more full and curled.

Here are my lashes with no product on them:

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Pretty bog standard right?

First up I like to give my lashes a really good curl.

Shu Uemura Eye Lash Curler

I have used so many different types of lash curlers over the years. Some cheap, some not so cheap and my favourite by far have to be the Shu Uemura ones.

Shu Uemura Eyelash Curle

Not the most affordable, they will set you back around 20 euro, but whatever way they are shaped they just do a really good job at getting into the base of the lashes and doing the job well. When curling your lashes try to get as close to the base as possible (without hurting yourself of course). When you have all your lashes in the curlers, tilt it upwards slightly to help with the curling. Give the curlers a good few squeezes while you have them clamped on your lashes and hold them in place for a good 20 seconds or so to get the full benefit.

If you find your lashes won’t take a curl particularly well, try heating you lash curlers gently with a hair dryer. Give them a blast for about 5-10 seconds, you don’t want to get them too hot, but if they are heated slightly that will help with the process.

So eyelashes curled…check.

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You can see that makes a huge difference already right?

Personally for me, most of the time, I find normal mascaras don’t cut the mustard when it comes to holding the curl in place all day long. This is a personal preference but I tend to go for waterproof formulas. I think as a general rule they hold a curl better and they don’t transfer onto my oily skin. At the minute I am using the Maybelline The Rocket Volum’ Express Waterproof, and I really like it.

Maybelline the Rocket Volum' Express WaterproofI am not too particular about mascaras. If it does the job well, I will use any brand or price point. I am always on the look out for recommendations though so if you have one that you love be sure to let me know ๐Ÿ™‚

When it comes to applying mascara I have found that applying from the base of your lashes, and wiggling the wand up to the tip is the best way to apply it. Use the bristles at the end of the wand to get into your outer lashes and fan them out for a more voluminous look. It applies product to every lash while helping to lift them into place before the mascara sets. I know waterproof mascara is more difficult to get off, but if you have trouble keeping a curl in your lashes, give it a go and I promise it will help. Just use an oil when cleaning and it will come off without too much trouble.

So mascara is added to the top lashes.

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beautynook curles lashes tips

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Ok this step might be a bit over the top. I use a different mascara for my bottom lashes. I know I know how high maintenance of me ๐Ÿ™‚

I use the Mac Extended Play Lash mascara on my bottom lashes exclusively for a couple of reasons.

Mac Extended Play Lash MascaraOne it doesn’t budge and my bottom lashes notoriously smudge. I don’t find it very beneficial for my top lashes it’s not volume enhancing enough for me.

Also the wand it small and dinky.Mac Extended Play Lash Spooley

You can get in to separate and coat all your little bottom lash hairs easier than with a big giant spooley like the one on the Maybelline mascara. I love having mascara on my bottom lashes I feel it opens your eyes and make you look more awake.

Bottom lashes done.

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So lashes are done, but we can do one more step to make our lashes look a little fuller. Tight lining your upper water line really helps darken up your lash line and make your lashes look more voluminous. It’s not hugely noticeable here but I promise it helps. I will be honest and say it doesn’t feel very pleasant when you do it, but after a while you get used to it ๐Ÿ™‚ Of course use a waterproof formula eye kohl or gel as you want it to stay put for as long as possible.

tight lining upper waterline

upper tight lining

I tend to tight line my bottom water line too most days, I personally just feel I look aย  bit better with it done, so I’ll show you the finished look below.

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There you have it, my first installment of Beautynook Tips. It seems like a lot of steps but I reckon I can knock this out in about 5 minutes now and once the mascara is on, it doesn’t budge until you take it off. These are tried and tested products.

If you have any tips or tricks you want to share be sure to add them in the comments below. If you have anything else you would like me to cover, let me know too.

Thanks for reading as always and have a great day ๐Ÿ™‚

xxx