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Makeup, Monthly Favourites, Youtube Video

July Favourites 2018

Yep, we’re over half way through the year, no need to panic, although I am kind of! Another month down means a monthly favourites round up. So here is my July favourites in all of their glory 🙂

My July favourites for 2018 consist of a good mix of products and rambles, if I do say so myself.

For some reason, when it comes to these roundups, I always end up talking a lot of beauty nonsense, so I apologise in advance 🙂

As always I’ll try link everything I talk about so you can have a gander if you so choose. Please do check out the video above or here though. I go into more detail and hopefully explain in not too many rambles why everything individually made it into my July favourites.

Missoma initial hammered disc and small bobble necklace. It’s free to get them engraved.

My little star huggie earrings are from Betty & Biddy and the second pair is from Ali Express.

Lancôme Le Vie Le Belle Eclat. I’ve linked the Eau de Parfum, it’s always a much better investment I think. I got sent the Eau de Toilette and it’s still really nice though. As I mention, I am loving layering with other more deeper scents to ‘Summer’ them up a bit 🙂

Super Facialist Rose Hydrate Miracle Makeover Facial Oil is the next product in my July favourites. You can have a closer look at this here.

An oldie, but a rejuvenated goodie is my second last favourite, the Maybelline The Eraser Eye in Ivory. They have released more shades in the range now which is brilliant. It is good to note though the shade Ivory is the lightest. Perfect for my skin, but definitely swatch is you’re lighter than me.

My last fave for July is the Pixi Glow-y Gossamar Duo in Subtle Sunrise. I have not shut up about this, I am so sorry 🙂

And that’s it. Let me know what you’ve been loving. Thanks as always and hope you have an awesome August.

Gemma

xxx

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED**

August 5, 2018/1 Comment/by Gem

Makeup, Makeup Tutorial, Youtube Video

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

Makeup

Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo Subtle Sunrise

I’ve used a few Pixi products in the past. I always have a stash of the Glow Tonic in my skincare drawer. I met with their UK PR last year and got to try even more skincare and some of the makeup. Their makeup was fairly new to me. I remember swatching some of in Boots in London a few years back and liking how it performed, but the packaging never really drew me in. Something that always stuck in my head after meeting with them though is my friend Sinéad aka The Beautiful Truth, who has at the meeting too saying, they are such an under rated makeup brand and after trying it for myself I completely agree. I have a post here about their Liquid Fairy Lights too if you want to check it out. Right now, I want to talk about, dare I say it, one of the best highlighters I have ever tried. The Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo Subtle Sunrise.

There is two shade ranges in the Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo (s). You can see both choices on their website here. Delicate Dew seems to be a little darker toned. I want to specifically talk about Subtle Sunrise.

I went for a dinner with the brand a few weeks ago, I know lucky me! And I got this duo in my goody back. I know, lucky me again. There is of course two colours within the compact. One is more of a champagne glow, and the other is a peachy rose gold.

The formula is just bloody gorgeous. It’s soft and creamy and oh so pigmented but in a glow-y way, hence the name 🙂 Both shades 100% create a glow to the skin without being sparkly or glitter. It’s just full on shine. I am a particular fan or the champagne side. If they created this on it’s own, I don’t think I would ever be without it. Here it is in action on the skin in video form. Make sure it’s in HD to see the full effect 🙂

I know I sound like I am gushing. Usually I come at a review as pragmatically as possible. I write about pros and cons, and then sum everything up. Honestly, I cannot say anything bad about the Pixi Glow-y Gossamer Duo Subtle Sunrise. Other than I wish they came as single pans, both shades serve a purpose and are beautiful though! The glow and the longevity of the glow is awesome!

We get some Pixi stock here in Ireland in Marks and Spencer. Do yourself a favour and go in if you can to swatch. You can buy the Pixi Glow-y Gossamer duo in Subtle Sunrise from Look Fantastic for €23.45 here. Can you tell I’m enamoured? 🙂

xxx

*PR SAMPLE**

July 4, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Max Factor Creme Bronzer Review

I came across the Max Factor Creme Bronzer completely by chance while having a nose around my local Boots.

I am a bit fan of the Creme Blushes, so it was a no brainer to pick one up to try. There are two shades. Bronze is the darker or the two. Me being the pale Irish girl that I am, I went with the lighter shade Light Gold.

The packaging on the Max Factor Creme Bronzer doesn’t really wow me too much. To be honest the blush packaging didn’t either. It’s kinda bulky. They are really similar only the bronzer packaging is obviously square and a little bigger.

I kinda wish the pan was bigger, just because I generally use a bigger brush to apply my bronzer.

The Max Factor Creme Bronzer is a baked mineral bronzer with a lighter base, with a darker colour swirled within it. It looks more cool in the pan, but when you apply it to the skin it definitely has a warm tone to it, but just enough in my opinion. No orange in sight. I sweep it into the ‘hollows’ of my cheeks too and it gives a subtle contour. I put hollows in inverted commas because let’s be real, there is nothing really hollow about my face 🙂

The powder is soft to the touch and applies smoothly and blends nicely onto the skin. The payoff is more sheer as you apply it. I prefer this as you can build up the colour on the skin to your liking. It has a satin finish, but there’s no sparkle or shimmer to it.

It lasts well on my skin and does a great job at warming up my complexion.

Overall, I a big fan! To be fair I knew I would be, it’s the blush in bronzer form 🙂

The Max Factor Creme Puff Bronzer is available from Boots in store or online now here. It costs €12.99.

xxx

May 14, 2017/by Gem

Makeup

Clarins Face Contour Palette

Clarins are releasing some awesome products at the moment. You know how enamored I am with their 4 Colour All In One Pen. I did a post on it here a little while ago. Another one of their limited edition releases is a Face Contour Palette. This is their first one.

It contains 3 shades. A highlight, a contour and a blush colour.

The packaging is beautiful. The powders are packaged in a very swish gold palette.

And a large mirror is always welcome too.

It also comes with it’s own mini contouring brush.

The natural hair brush is super soft and actually super functional. It works really well at applying the product. The angled shape makes it great for applying contour, but it’s wide enough that you can blend out with it too.

Here are all three colours swatched side by side on my arm, just to give an idea of the finish and the pigmentation. They are enriched with plant extracts that are supposed to help nourish the skin. As well as Clarins own Anti-Pollution Complex.

All the powders are soft and pigmented. The highlighter is not what you would expect. It’s matte for a start! Clarins say use to enhance the face rather than add glow. Like under your eyes, the chin and the middle of the forehead.

The contour powder is quite warm toned.

For me, although the powder is lovely and blends really nicely. It doesn’t work as a contour. I much prefer using as a matte bronzer around the perimeter of my face to warm up my complexion.

The blush is pink toned with a satin finish. It’s a nice universal colour, that I think would work on a lot of skin tones.

Overall, I think the Clarins Face Contour Palette is nice. It is always nice to have multi functioning products under a pretty roof. The powders are really good quality, they are packaged beautifully and the brush is really functional. The highlight shade for me, works better as a setting powder and the contour shade as a bronzer. If you are looking to use it for their stated purposes however, it might not be the palette for you.

It is available in all stockists now. You can buy it from Boots online here. It will set you back €47 for 13.8 grams of product, along with the accompanying brush.

xxx ****PR SAMPLE****

February 20, 2017/1 Comment/by Gem

Makeup

L’Orèal True Match Highlight

I only bought the L’Orèal True Match Highlight last week. I featured it in my haul video here. But, I wanted to get a post up about it asap because I can’t really find much information on them. If I google the name, only American websites come up.

America seem to have three L’Orèal True Match Highlight (s) to choose from, I’ve only seen two of them on sale here in Boots. A bronze toned one and the one I have here 302.R/C ‘Icy Glow’.

With Flash

The compact comes in a clear topped plastic casing with a mirror and a little brush underneath the product.

As you can see from looking at it (and the name) this is a icy, silvery highlight.

There is three facets to the powder. A beige toned shimmer. A blue toned shimmer. And then an silvery toned shimmer. Swatched they all look pretty similar though.

Natural Light

With Flash

The compact is big enough that you could use the colours on their own. Or, you can of course mix them together.

Here it is swatched on my arm, with my finger on the left and then swiped on with the brush that comes with the compact on the right. Not the worst brush in the world, it would be handy for on the go. I myself would rather use a softer more tapered brush for highlighter though.

L’Orèal say they created their True Match Highlight to be used as a highlight on the general areas we would usually use one. i.e the cheekbones, or you can use it as an all over illuminator.

There is definitely a sparkle to this L’Orèal True Match Highlight. But, they are more reflective. It’s not just full on glitter. The powder itself is soft to the touch, but when use a a brush in it, there’s is a good amount of fall out.

I picked this up because the colour choices in it attracted me to it. (And L’Orèal were on 3 for 2 in Boots) 🙂 When you apply it to the face with a brush, you get a subtle icy highlight. If you’re looking for full on see you from space glow, this is not the product to do this.

Overall, I quite like the L’Orèal True Match Highlight. I like the duo chrome icy colour that you get with it. I don’t have a highlighter in my stash that looks like it. I don’t think it’s going to change the makeup game, but I like this particular shade and will get use out of it for sure for days when I just want a little something something on the cheeks 🙂 For me, it would be a bit too glittery to apply all over the face.

I believe I paid €11.99 for it in Boots. When it becomes available on their website I’ll be sure to link it.

xxx

September 7, 2016/by Gem

Posts

Yep, we’re over half way through the year, no need to panic, although I am kind of! Another month down means a monthly favourites round up. So here is my July favourites in all of their glory 🙂

And that’s it. Let me know what you’ve been loving. Thanks as always and hope you have an awesome August.

Gemma

xxx

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

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*********

We get some Pixi stock here in Ireland in Marks and Spencer. Do yourself a favour and go in if you can to swatch. You can buy the Pixi Glow-y Gossamer duo in Subtle Sunrise from Look Fantastic for €23.45 here. Can you tell I’m enamoured? 🙂

xxx

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

I came across the Max Factor Creme Bronzer completely by chance while having a nose around my local Boots.

Clarins are releasing some awesome products at the moment. You know how enamored I am with their 4 Colour All In One Pen. I did a post on it here a little while ago. Another one of their limited edition releases is a Face Contour Palette. This is their first one.

Here are all three colours swatched side by side on my arm, just to give an idea of the finish and the pigmentation. They are enriched with plant extracts that are supposed to help nourish the skin. As well as Clarins own Anti-Pollution Complex.

I only bought the L’Orèal True Match Highlight last week. I featured it in my haul video here. But, I wanted to get a post up about it asap because I can’t really find much information on them. If I google the name, only American websites come up.

Here it is swatched on my arm, with my finger on the left and then swiped on with the brush that comes with the compact on the right. Not the worst brush in the world, it would be handy for on the go. I myself would rather use a softer more tapered brush for highlighter though.

L’Orèal say they created their True Match Highlight to be used as a highlight on the general areas we would usually use one. i.e the cheekbones, or you can use it as an all over illuminator.

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED**

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*

*PR SAMPLE**