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It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte

Oh I jumped on the It Cosmetics bandwagon, I jumped on it hard 🙂 I just couldn’t bloody resist it. Good coverage and really high SPF! So many people had such awesome things to say about it, and the brand is in Arnotts now. It was a no brainer really.

I bided my time a little until the Oil Free Matte version came to our shores. I am generally oily, particularly in my t-zone. The older I get, the more dehydrated some of my skin is getting, but I still get a super oily nose, so I like oil free products.

So what is the Oil Free It Cosmetics CC Cream you may ask? Well I’ll let the brand do the specific explaining and then I’ll throw my two cents into the equation:

‘Created to improve the look of skin texture, this complexion-perfecting breakthrough provides long-wear coverage and camouflages skin imperfections including dark spots and discolouration without creasing or cracking. It’s also infused with charcoal, tea tree extract, colloidal clay and Moroccan lava clay—plus, oil-absorbing, minimising technology and an advanced anti-aging serum. You’ll see powerful results instantly and more dramatic results over time. Finally, a full-coverage CC cream that airbrushes the look of your pores while providing natural-looking matte complexion perfection that lasts!’

The other versions of the It Cosmetics CC Cream have broad spectrum SPF 50+. The oil free version is SPF 40+ which is still amazing! I love the packaging. It’s a tube with a pump, so you can squeeze every fairly expensive drop out of it.

It Cosmetics do recommend you apply this with a brush. And that’s what I was doing, like I would with a foundation for the first couple of weeks. I liked it at this point, the coverage and pigment was great and the longevity fairly decent, especially for something that has such high protection. However I did find, it clung to dry patches as it is matte, and it was hard to blend into my giant pores. I have the shade Fair Light.

Then, I brought it on holiday with me, and started wearing it as my SPF. One of the days I was just wanting to slap some on and used my fingers to blend it in. This was a bit of a revelation for me. It blended so much easier into my skin, it was easier to get it into all the nooks and crannies. Which makes complete sense I guess, since it is a CC Cream. It just performs like a really decent foundation.

Here it is in action on my skin in video form:

The coverage and staying power of this stuff is pretty overwhelming considering it’s good for your skin to boot. I need to get a sample of the original formula asap to see how that performs on my skin! I do get a bit of shine on my t-zone after a few hours, but I’ve yet to find anything to combat that. And a bit of blotting makes it disappear. The rest of my skin lasts really well though and I’ve found myself using less powder with this and can even skip setting spray if I fancy. Just be wary it is matte and it can cling to dryness. Once you aware of that, it does exactly what it says on the tin!

The It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte is available now from Arnotts. It will set you back €39.

Have you tried it yet?

xxx

October 12, 2018/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

Monthly Favourites, Youtube Video

April Favourites 2018

As I am writing this, the sun is shining and it’s May. Which means it’s officially Spring, which means no constant rain and being miserable…just some of the time :). A new month also means a look back over the previous month. So, here is a run down of some of my April Favourites for 2018.

How was your April? Mine wasn’t too bad all in all. I had some good times and made some good memories.

My April Favourites consist of mostly skincare actually with a snippet of makeup, fashion and dare I say some political views as well. Definitely not something I talk about a lot. If I do it’s mostly on Twitter. I don’t shy away, don’t get me wrong, there’s just people out there doing a way better job at it than I ever could. But I think May, for me, for us as woman of Ireland is so very important. Please make sure you are registered to vote, do your research and make an informed decision.

Ok, let’s talk about some silly stuff now 🙂

My April Favourites definitely reflect the changes in the seasons, I think. As always I talk much more in depth in the video above or here. But I’ll give you a quick run down and link to everything I can.

Human + Kind Miracle Makeup Remover. (A Micro fiber face cloth).
The Clarins Hydra Essentiel Moisturising Reviving Eye Mask. This is actually on sale at the moment from Debenhams here.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution. Definitely a mouthful of a name. It’s an exfoliating peel which treats the top layer of the skin.
Garnier Ambre Solaire Sensitive Advanced Protecting and Hydrating Face Mist SPF 50. This is actually way cheaper than I initially thought and has been working a treat for me.

I’ve reviewed the Catrice Lashes To Kill Pro Mascara here if you want to see it in action.

Earring are from Betty & Biddy.

Then finally my bag was a gift from my friend Ella of Siopaella. She sourced them in Morocco and sells them in store too.

And that is it for another instalment of April Favourites. Let me know if you like these types of posts, it’s always good to get constructive feedback.

Thanks for clicking as always.

Gemma

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED**

May 4, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Estèe Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation

First thing to get out of the way. Estèe Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation is like the original Double Wear in packaging only!

I’m actually not too crazy about the packaging. The glass bottle is fine, but you don’t get a pump with it. You can buy one separately now, bit I think that’s a bit of a farce to be honest. Having to pay another 6 quid just so you can pump the product! I tend to just use my fingers. I find I waste less product if I just decant it on my finger rather than the top of my hand or a surface.

The Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation comes in a 30ml bottle and has a light fluid texture. This makes complete sense as it is deemed a ‘water fresh makeup’. The coverage in my humble opinion is light-medium. You can definitely build it up to a good medium though. It contains SPF 30, anti oxidants and protects against environmental damage.

If you are looking for hardcore coverage like the original, you definitely won’t like this offering. To be honest, nowadays the original would be too much for me. It’s just too thick. I do enjoy the Light version though and have picked that up a few times over the past couple of years.

After speaking to some fellow makeup lovers about the Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude. I can definitely say there is mixed opinions about it. Some love it and some just can’t get it to work for them at all. So, I can only give you my thoughts on it and how it works for me. I have oilier skin, but as I get older, I have definitely noticed more dehydration creeping its way in too. Generally, I use primer, setting powder and then setting spray. I would use them everyday I wear makeup. With my usual product concoction, the Double Wear Nude works really for me as an everyday foundation. It has a really nice light weight feel to it, and blends out really nicely.

I find it evens out my skin tone really well. I use the shade 1N2 Ecru. The finish on my skin would be semi-matte.

It lasts really well on me. I can go out all day safe in the knowledge that’ll it stay put, more or less. It doesn’t settle in lines or oxidise. I know I really like it because I haven’t been afraid to use instead of my holy grail foundation the L’Oréal Infallible 24HR Matte (review here).

Overall, I am a big fan of the Estée Lauder Double Wear Nude. It works really well for me. I picked mine up in Duty Free. You would have seen that haul video here. The cheapest I can find it online at the minute is from Debenhams here. At the moment it is €36. It is usually €40 in most places though.

Have you tried it?

xxx

November 1, 2017/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo SPF 30

Myself and Effaclar Duo have a very close bond. It is one of the only face creams that doesn’t interfere with my makeup and create extra oil throughout the day. I did a blog post last year here about the OG one and about their Unifiant (tinted) version. This post is dedication to the latest release, the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo SPF 30!

As someone with oily skin, SPF, generally does not do very well on my mush! SPF on it’s own is a no go. It tends to be thick and doesn’t absorb enough into the skin. When it’s within skincare, it can still be like this and I just find myself getting shiny pretty much instantaneously.

Because of this, I have to guiltily admit, sometimes I go without SPF on my face completely, or I use a foundation with some protection in it. I can say hand on heart that the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo SPF 30 has been a bit of a revelation for me.

It comes in the same 40ml tube as the original and smells the same. It has the same gel like formula but it’s definitely a little thicker in consistency.

But, if you give it a couple of minutes, it does sink into the skin without feeling tacky or leaving a white mask on the skin.

It of course has SPF 30 and protects against UVA and UVB rays. It’s also kind to imperfections too. Now as it’s a moisturiser rather than full on sunscreen, it does mean that it doesn’t protect for as long and we generally apply it in a thinner layer. And it’s not water resistant. So it’s great for general day to day wear. But, if you’re heading to the beach or spending a lot of time directly in the sun, proper sunscreen is still the way to go.

The important part for me though that it doesn’t make my makeup slide off completely. I do get more shiner than I would if I use the original version, but nothing like I would if I was wearing full blown SPF.

Overall, I am a fan of the La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo SPF 30. It’s a great middle ground for me. It means I have some sort of decent protection on my face day to day, while out and about. I don’t feel as exposed.

It’s available now in pharmacies nationwide. The general price is around €19 or so. I found it on Feel Unique online here for the best price.

Have you tried it yet?

Shout out to Rosie for all the help as always 🙂

xxx

****PR SAMPLE****

July 24, 2017/1 Comment/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation

I already posted about the Serum Foundation here if that would tickle your fancy more. This post is all about The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation though. My personal favourite out of the two 🙂

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is as the name would suggest the more full coverage of the two foundations.

They both have the same 30ml plastic bottle with a rubberized pump (although you can buy a glass pipette separately if you would prefer).

They both come in the same 21 shade ranges and are deemed SPF 15 here in Europe. I will quote Deciem for the pigment explanation because they do it better: ‘These foundations contain higher pigment levels than our Serum Foundations but still offer a smooth finish that avoids the heavy makeup look that can make skin appear more aged. The texture is that of a lightweight, non-oily cream.’ For me, this sums up the Coverage foundation perfectly.

I feel it’s a medium coverage foundation, that you can build up easy enough without it looking too caked on the skin. I definitely do not think it’s full coverage like Deciem say, but it’s a solid medium coverage which I can definitely live with.

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is a little thicker in formula than the Serum. Here they are side so you can see the difference. Serum is on the left and Coverage is on the right.

On my skin, it applies really easily and smoothly. I always use a primer underneath foundation, which I thought was good to note. I have the shade 1.1N which is a decent match for my paler skin.

It has a semi matte finish on me. I say semi matte because although it’s not dewy, it’s not drying or heavy either. It blends really lovely and evens out my skin tone really well. It glides over my pores really nicely too and it doesn’t sit in any fine lines.

Before:

After:

I like this personally more than the Serum foundation for two main reasons. 1, it has more coverage. And 2 it lasts really well on my skin. This is a foundation I can confidently apply in the morning and know it will stand the test of time. The Serum foundation is lovely but I don’t have that longevity guarantee with it on my oilier skin.

This is a just a winner in my book! I really like it!

The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation is still awaiting stock on the Deciem website, but the link to order it is here. You can sign up to get an email when it’s back in though. That’s how I got my hands on it. It costs the same as the serum, a very reasonable €6.90. I thought it was good to add here that the Colours are alcohol free, oil free, silicone free, vegan and cruelty free.

Are you intrigued?

xxx

June 4, 2017/3 Comments/by Gem

Posts

The It Cosmetics CC Cream Oil Free Matte is available now from Arnotts. It will set you back €39.

Have you tried it yet?

xxx

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************

As I am writing this, the sun is shining and it’s May. Which means it’s officially Spring, which means no constant rain and being miserable…just some of the time :). A new month also means a look back over the previous month. So, here is a run down of some of my April Favourites for 2018.

Thanks for clicking as always.

Gemma

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

First thing to get out of the way. Estèe Lauder Double Wear Nude Foundation is like the original Double Wear in packaging only!

Have you tried it?

xxx

I already posted about the Serum Foundation here if that would tickle your fancy more. This post is all about The Ordinary Colours Coverage Foundation though. My personal favourite out of the two 🙂

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED**