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Everyday Summer Makeup Tutorial

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 🙂

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 🙂

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.

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.

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

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*

July 11, 2018/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare, Youtube Video

Daytime Skincare Routine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****

July 1, 2018/1 Comment/by Gem

Makeup

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

I’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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

June 27, 2018/by Gem

Makeup, Youtube Video

Kat Von D Lock It Foundation Review

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 🙂

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

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.

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.

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

*PR SAMPLE**

May 20, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Fenty Pro Filt’r Instant Retouch Primer

I 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.

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.

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.

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.

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

May 2, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter

I have been waiting with baited breath for the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter to launch here. I was just perusing the shelves in Boots (as you do), and happened across one of them! I haven’t seen any media or press releases about them as of yet, but we can now get our makeup loving mitts on them!

Only catch is there seems to be only one of the shade available of the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter. And then there’s one shade of the Master Holographic Prismatic one. Now that could have just been the Boots I was in, (Jervis Street). However, they don’t seem to be on the Boots website yet either.

Anyways, I picked up the two shades that were there. Damn 3 for 2 drew me in big time. I got their setting spray to try as well. I don’t have them that long, but I thought I could at least show you what they were like in action, just in case you’ve been chomping at the bit ever since seeing Desi & Katy rocking them!

The Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is in the shade Molten Gold.

Off the bat, I can say this is the nicest formula of the two. The shade is probably a couple of shades too dark for me. It remind me a lot of Becca’s Champagne Pop. I love Champagne Pop, but I am just too damn pale to pull it off most of the time.

Molten Gold is super soft and really easy to blend. It’s a really great, more affordable highlighter.

It is actually available online from Feel Unique here on sale. I paid €11.99 for it in Boots.

Just like the Chrome’s, there is other shades of the Holographic Prismatic formulas, we just don’t seem to be getting them here.

These have a more gritty formula. This shade 50 Opal is obviously lighter in colour, but it has little holographic glitters running through it.

Here they are side by side for comparison:

For me, Opal performed much better when applied to the skin with a brush. The holographic glitters give a duo chrome sheen, although the glitter is very visible on the skin . That is definitely something to note.

This, like Molten Gold, was €11.99 from Boots but again Feel Unique currently have it on sale if it wets your whistle 🙂

I really hope we get more shades of the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter on this side of the world. They are a really lovely more affordable highlighter. The Holographic ones definitely won’t be for everyone. What do you think?

xxx

April 13, 2018/by Gem

Posts

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 🙂

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

********PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*********

For toner I am using the Pixi Rose Tonic.

Eye cream is the Exuviance Age Reverse Eye Contour.

And there you have my current daytime skincare routine. Have you tried any of the products?

xxx

*********PR SAMPLES INCLUDED************

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

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

*******PR SAMPLE********

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

The Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter is in the shade Molten Gold.

Just like the Chrome’s, there is other shades of the Holographic Prismatic formulas, we just don’t seem to be getting them here.

I really hope we get more shades of the Maybelline Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter on this side of the world. They are a really lovely more affordable highlighter. The Holographic ones definitely won’t be for everyone. What do you think?

xxx

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****

*PR SAMPLE**