spring Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Fashion Wish List Summer

My fashion wish list for Summer definitely has a theme. I’m still on the bardot bandwagon, I want light materials, bright colours and all the runners going. I’ve never been more happy to be able to wear trainers again and for it to be accepted. And let’s face it bloody cool!

I will admit it and say I don’t think my sense of style reflects my age in any way. I am nearly 33 (in June), but I have regressed to dressing like my 15 year old self and I am completely ok with it. I’m curvy with big boobs and big hips. I am also super conscious of my tummy area and I HATE the tops of my arms. These are all factors I take into consideration when I go clothes shopping.

I actually really love fashion and it’s something I’ve always been interested in it, I’ve just never always felt worthy of it. I have gotten a little better in my 30’s though and do try to go out of my comfort zone even if it’s just with accessories. Fashion is there to be played with I think, just like makeup and my goal is to try a little more with it. However at the same time, I’m broke so when it comes to shopping, I try to think about every purchase even if I’m just dropping into Penneys for a look, I want to be able to utilise everything I purchase.

This is definitely an achievable fashion wish list, with a couple of accessories thrown in with hopes of them being added to my birthday list too 🙂

First up I really want a flattering midi bardot dress. ASOS have a plethora to choose from, from ASOS own and other brands too. The style is definitely staying around for Summer 2018. I am loving this little number in particular from River Island.

I am a casual girl at heart, so t shirts are definitely a staple in my Summer wardrobe. A cool slogan gets me every time. They’re great for throwing on with jeans, shorts and skirts a like.

I am a sucker for all the 90’s throwback ones like this Fila one from Urban Outfitters.

Co-ords are another thing I need more of in life. I am imagining a Pretty Woman moment in a shorts and blazer combo, like this one from ASOS. Love the pastel pink shade.

I am already a Old Skool Vans wearer. They take some breaking in, but once you do that, they will be the comfiest shoes you’ll ever own. I am all over their sorbet colour offerings, particularly the mint ones. JD have a bucket load of fun ones to choose from.

These will make it from my fashion wish list to my actual wardrobe somewhere in the very near future.

Sunglasses are a real obsession for me, particularly Ray-Bans. I wear my Clubmasters to death, so I think 2018 may be the year I splurge on a new pair. I have my eye (get it? 🙂 ) on these mirrored ones from ASOS. I don’t know if I’m cool enough to pull them off though.

A birthday fashion wish list item is this Coach Parker Quilted Bag.

This has popped up on my Instagram ads (they obviously work), a few times. I like that it’s multi coloured, I like that the chain is black and I like that it’s a shoulder bag. I am a bit of a brat when it comes to carrying a handbag. At nearly €600 though, I would have to see it in the flesh and hold it before I’d make a decision. A girl can dream 🙂

I could go on, but we’ll be here all day. What’s on your fashion Summer wish list?

xxx

May 16, 2018/by Gem

March Favourites 2018

I am way late on the March Favourites for 2018 bandwagon. We are well into April. But sure I thought, better late than never, right?

My March Favourites this year are a bit of a mixed bag of beauty (of course), fashion, (in inverted commas ha), and a Netflix recommendation.

March has been a bit of a funny month for me. I have been job hunting, but in a different way from what I am used to. Blogging for the last four years has given me a love for digital media and I’ve realised it’s the industry I would love to work in. Don’t get me wrong, I would love nothing more than to write about beauty full time, but here in Ireland, as someone like me, that’s not really a reality right now.

So March has been a been a whirl wind of interviews, beauty writing and life stuff. It’s been weirdly a month of clarity for me, so for that I am very grateful. Also, the weather was getting a teeny bit warmer through the month, so that helps everything. I wouldn’t be Irish if I didn’t bring the weather into this sum up somehow 🙂

Ok, I digressed completely there, let’s get into my random bag of March Favourites.

I talk more about them of course in the video, but I will link what I can here.

The Ella & Jo Squeaky Clean Brush Cleanser is my first beauty fave. You can buy it directly from their website or Meaghers Pharmacy also stock it. (It’s currently 20% off from Meaghers.)

I chat about the Wet n Wild 1 Step Wonder Gel Nail Colors all of the time but the shade, Lavender Out Loud, has been my go to shade through March.

The Nudestix Intense Lip + Cheek Pencils are available to us from Cult Beauty. I chat (and am wearing), the shade Kiss.

My Betty & Biddy necklace that I show isn’t on their website now, but I will link them here so you can check out what else they have on offer.

The jeans are from Penneys and Littlewoods as I mention. I don’t have links to either, sorry.

And then finally my honourable fave is Wild Wild Country on Netflix. I’ll link the Wikipedia page here so you can check it out. It’s a mind boggler 🙂

And there you have my March favourites for this year. Thanks for clicking as always, I really appreciate it.

xxx

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED

April 8, 2018/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Affordable Makeup Spring Favourites

I’ve harped on about some of these products online too much now. I thought I needed to do a dedicated post showing you them a bit more in depth. So here are my current affordable makeup Spring faves 🙂

I apologise in advance if you’re sick of me talking about the PS Bronze Shade & Shimmer Eyeshadow Palette. I did a whole post here dedicated to this Penneys Collection. I believe it’s in stores pretty much as we speak.

I didn’t swatch the palette though and I really think it deserves it now. I have honestly reached for this so much since I was given it. And not because I felt I had to if that makes sense? Being a beauty blogger, I do have to make a point to try products again and again. For €6, you get nine warm eyeshadow shades. They’re a mixture of mattes and shimmers and all compliment each other. Are they the softest, most pigmented shadows I’ve ever used? No, but for the price point they are pretty bloody awesome!

Continuing on from the palette, another affordable makeup Spring fave from Penneys, are their cream eyeshadow pots. And a disclaimer, I am only calling them makeup Spring faves because it’s Spring now. These are fine all year round ha.

I picked up two of these while I was in Edinburgh a while back from the PS Nudes Collection.

A matte and a metallic one just to try. I went to the launch of this collection and they were one of the things I was most intrigued about. Also at €2.50 each I thought they were worth the financial risk 🙂

I did however take the bloody stickers off them absentmindedly and they had the names on them, so I don’t know what they’re called. But they’re creamy and pigmented so I’ll forgive them not putting the names on the containers.

I’ve another two from the Bronze Collection too.

They’re super easy to work with and pack a real punch as a cream eyeshadow base. They’re a little slippy in texture so I don’t know how well they would fare on their own, without powder on top. I find the pots a bit of a pain. Fingers do not fit very comfortably inside them, but a synthetic brush works grand. That’s what I used to swatch them above.

The eyeshadow base I have been using for last couple of months is the Zoeva Matte Eyeshadow Fix.

Don’t let the word matte deter you. It has more of a velvet finish in my humble opinion.

I just think it’s a damn good eyeshadow primer. I have super oily lids so I’m generally a decent judge of what’s good and what isn’t in this department. A little goes a long way, it doesn’t interfere with whatever you put on top and it helps fill in fine lines too. €8.95 is a decent price for it.

The Madison M5 brush has been another firm favourite of mine over the past few weeks.

This comes as part of a 12 piece brush set available here for €39.95.It’s a super soft synthetic brush. I have been loving it for setting under my eyes. I’m enjoying quite a few of the brushes from the set, this one in-particular stands out though as I reach for it pretty much everyday.

My last affordable makeup Spring fave is a new in lippie from Essence.

This kind of shade is a no brainer for me really. I am a mauve lipstick whore. It’s called 10 Rosey Glitz.

When I’m not reaching for a matte finish day to day this is a great sheer, you don’t really have to think about applying it colour. It’s super flattering and feels really nice on the lips. I also think it retails for about 3 quid. Bargain!

And there you have my affordable makeup Spring faves 🙂

xxx

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED

March 26, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipstick

I am sure you are no stranger to the L’Oréal Color Riche Lipstick. The brand are constantly bringing out different versions of them. I only spoke about the Gold Obsession collection here at the end of last year. I recieved some of the L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipsticks and I thought I give you an overview.

I am definitely more of a matte lipstick wearer. I do dabble in a glossy finish from time to time. Generally though, a more matte finish is my thing. I do believe some of the shades (upon googling) have been out in different formats before, but the L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction formula is being called their ‘boldest, most moisturising matte lipsticks.’

I have three of the colours from the collection here, but Boots and Superdrug, among other places, have an abundance of shades to choose from.

The packaging is what you would expect from the Color Riche range with a matte black finish.

The scent is typical of L’Oréal lippies. It reminds me of my Cabbage Patch Doll. D’ya remember what they smelled like? It is quite strong and sweet. I myself find it kind of nostalgic, but I am sure it could be off putting for other people.

Onto the swatching 🙂

640 ‘Erotique’. The brown nude shade of the three:

347 ‘Haute Rouge’. A blue toned matte cherry red:

463 ‘Plum Tuxedo’. A pink with purple tones, definitely not plum. It’s also less opaque than the other two shades I have:

The L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipsticks are super soft and pigmented. They have a matte velvet finish, but don’t dry down completely on the lips. This means you will get residue, but it also means they don’t crack or feel super uncomfortable either. Because the formula is so soft, I do recommend using a lip brush to apply the bolder colours and it is harder to get a strong line straight from the bullet. They last reasonably well on the lips and the deeper colours do leave behind a stain. Overall, I am a big fan of the formula.

The L’Oréal Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipstick seem to vary in price online. Boots have them on 3 for 2 at the moment here. They are priced at €10.49 each.

Do any of the shades tickle your fancy?

xxx

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

April 12, 2017/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Spring Blush And Cheek Releases

The weather is kind of changing. I can see daffodils when I am out and about. That’s proof 🙂 With the changing season comes new beauty releases, which is always exciting! I thought I would compile some that I have from a few different brands. This is some of the new Spring Blush And Cheek Releases for 2017!

First up we have two (of three) new Perfect Blush colours from Isa Dora.

05 ‘Poppy Peach’ which is a soft slightly iridescent peach:

And, 60 ‘Pinky Peach’, which is very much it’s name sake.

I have been using these quite regularly over the last couple of weeks and have been enjoying them. I found them online from Feel Unique. They have an abundance of shades to choose from here. They retail for €15.30.

Next is the Clarins Contour Kit.

I already have a full blogpost on this here, so I won’t go into much detail. But, I thought it deserved to be in the mix. It’s a cheek product and it’s new 🙂

Next we have a couple of different offerings from the very affordable Essence Cosmetics.

As part of their Spring/Summer range for this year, they have the BlushPlay Sculpting Blush Palette.

This is in the shade 10 ‘Play It Peach’.

It has a highlight shade, a scultping shade (although to me this is more of a blush colour) and then a light satin coral ‘define’ colour. This is of course the blush shade. It retails for €4.95.

Another new cheek palette from Essence is their Prismatic Rainbow Glow Highlighter.

The internet is kind of going mad for this at the minute. The shade is called fittingly 10 ‘Be A Unicorn’.

The colours, indvidually do show up true to colour.

Swatched together though, they give you a really lovely light gold highlight, with subtle flecks of the colours shining through.

This retails for €4.40.

Next, is the very beautiful 7 Lights Powder Illuminator By Shiseido.

This powder was first created in 1917, and this offering is the modern day version of it.

The packaging alone is pretty stunning and then the powder contains 7 colours that are meant to help uneven skin tone and freshen the skin.

I have been using it to touch up my makeup of late and have found it works really nicely.

The brush that comes with it is really perfect for on the go too. Swirled together the colours give you a really pretty peach, wearable sheen.

Shiseido is sold in pharmacies here in Ireland. It was actually quite hard to source it in stock online. I managed to find it on the Escentual website here. It is priced at €48.76.

The last Spring blush release I have to show is Benefit’s newest Boxed Blush in Galifornia.

It smells like holidays in a box.

Once the gold overspray is gone, you are left with a really pretty peachy pink blush, with a hint of golden shimmer running through it.

Galifornia is available now from Debenhams here and Cloud10beauty here. It retails for between €30-34 depending on where you buy it.

And that’s pretty much Spring Blush products in a nutshell right there 🙂 Any of them take your fancy?

xxx

March 8, 2017/by Gem

Makeup

Catrice Liquid Gel Cushion Eyeliner

The Catrice Spring/Summer collection for this year has some really great products in it. I was going to do a lowdown on the stuff that I was actually sent from it, but there is a couple of stand out things that I think deserve their own limelight. I spoke about their Makeup Transformer Drops here last week. This week is about the Catrice Liquid Gel Cushion Eyeliner.

Now when I first spoke about this I naively thought this was the first cushion liner on the market. My lovely friend Mags rightly corrected me though. She is an encyclopedia on all things Stila, they did it first! The Catrice Liquid Gel Cushion Eye Liner is a hell of a lot cheaper though!

It comes just like a cushion foundation or blush would, except obviously it isn’t in compact form. It’s in a glass jar with an airtight lid, to prevent the product drying out. Inside the jar is a sponge doused in eye liner.

If you press down on the sponge, you can see the liner is very much in liquid form. This is a bit unusual because obviously we are used to seeing gel liner in potted form. Liquid liner usually comes in a pen or tube. I actually really like the format of the Catrice Liquid Gel Cushion Eyeliner. You can use your weapon of choice to apply it rather than a built in applicator.

This is it swatched just once in a downwards motion on my hand with a small liner brush.

You can see it’s really opaque, smooth and it dries down with a bit of a shine to it. It does last pretty well too. I only managed to remove this from my hand with warm soapy water.

Here it is in action on one of my eyes:

Went a bit ham with the flick so I did. I just wanted to show that you can manipulate the liner to your liking 🙂

I actually put the packaging to the test too and turned it upside down while open. The product didn’t escape the cushion!! You get 3ml’s of product within the jar.

Overall, I am a big fan of the Catrice Liquid Gel Cushion Eyeliner. I like that you can have the control over how you apply your liquid liner. It’s available from stockist now for €4.95. It only comes in black at the moment. You can see Catrice talk about it more on their website here.

xxx ****PRESS SAMPLE****

February 22, 2017/by Gem

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