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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

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

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May 4, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Highlighters My Most Used At The Moment

If I’m wearing makeup, you best believe I have highlighter on! I sometimes just go for a more subtle liquid approach, or a mixture of liquid and powder. Generally though, powder highlighters are my jam.

I am going to run you through the three powder highlighters in my collection that I gravitate towards the most. I’ve loads of lovely other ones, but these are my ‘don’t have to think about it’ picks. They work for me and last well throughout the day.

First up, is the infamous Mary-Lou Manizer from theBalm Cosmetics.

I think the majority of makeup lover have Mary-Lou in their lives, or one of her very lovely sisters.

She isn’t too warm, she isn’t too cool. She’s the perfect in between slightly golden shade. The powder itself is soft and really easy to blend.

If you have yet to see Mary-Lou in the flesh, go check her out in your local Debenhams. You won’t be disappointed. She will set you back €19 online here.

My next choice in my most used highlights is one I picked up at Christmas time last year.

This is the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Pearl.

If you have pale skin like me or even paler, this could be your perfect shade! It has more of a silvery tone, that can be more suited to pink toned skin tones. It gives shine without sparkle (all of the Shimmering Skin Perfectors do). They melt into the skin effortlessly.

You can also use this wet if you really want to amp up the glow. I did a whole review on this when I first picked it up here. Becca is in store from Spacenk or online from Cult Beauty here.

My last choice is the more pink shade out of the three highlighters. It’s still has a pale gold finish to it on the skin, so works really nicely for me without looking too obvious. I like that look sometimes, but generally everyday, I just want a bit of shine.

It is the Too Faced Prismatic Highlighter in Blinded By The Light.

This is the lightest shade in the three Prismatic Highlighters from Too Faced. There is a more pink shade too that I do use too, but this is just the one I reach for the most. They give such a lovely shine, nearly wet look to the skin.

I tend to reach for this more in the evenings. It looks so pretty as an eye shadow too. You can find these in store or online from Debenhams here.

And there you have my current faves. Any of them your favourites? What’s your most reached for highlighter?

xxx

December 27, 2017/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

Makeup

Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powders

YouTube 100 million percent made me do it! I have to admit I can be a bit skeptical when YouTubers or online people bring out products. A lot of it is just done to make a few bob on the side, and not really thought out.

Tanya Burr Cosmetics has been going a while now and I actually did try some bit from hers in the beginning, and they weren’t half bad. Since then though nothing has really caught my eye majorly so I didn’t invest in anything.

The Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powders are new from the range. I watched her Get Ready With Me Video here, where she showcases her new ‘Chasing The Sun’ Collection. The Illuminating Powders in particular took my fancy.

They remind me so much of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting blush and bronzers. And the Max Factor Creme Puff blush and bronzers too. I actually did a post on the Max Factor Bronzer not too long ago here if you want to see the lighter shade in action.

There is three illuminating powders within the ‘Chasing The Sun’ collection.

I picked up all three because Superdrug were having a 3 for 2 offer. Any excuse, right? They all come in a square, pretty sturdy clear topped palette, with 12 grams of product within.

The darkest of the three is ‘Warm Bronze’.

It’s a medium, shimmering bronze shade.

Next, we have ‘Champagne Sorbet’.

As the name would suggest, this is more of a champagne shimmer. Much more suited to use as a highlight for my lighter skin tone.

The last of the three is ‘Peonies Please’.

This looks like a darker pink in the pan than it swatches. It’s still a really pretty shimmering light pink blush shade. This, for me would be a blush and highlight all in one.

I have to admit, I am really impressed with the colour pay off from all three of the Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powder shades. The powders themselves are nice and soft and easy to blend. You get a really decent amount of product for the price point €10.85 ( in store here from Superdrug.) Not the cheapest ‘from the drugstore’, I know. Although they are only €8.99 from the Feel Unique website here. They give a really nice glow to the skin without being too sparkly or glittery.

I will definitely get a lot of use out of ‘Champagne Sorbet’ and ‘Peonies Please’. ‘Warm Bronze’ might be a little too dark for me to use regularly. It will make a lovely eye shadow though!

Here is ‘Peonies Please’ applied as blush to my skin:

And then ‘Champagne Sorbet’ applied on top:

Have you tried anything from the Tanya Burr Cosmetics range? What has YouTube made you buy? I reckon I could do a whole dedicated blog post on that question myself 🙂

xxx

July 17, 2017/by Gem

Posts

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**********

And there you have my current faves. Any of them your favourites? What’s your most reached for highlighter?

xxx

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

YouTube 100 million percent made me do it! I have to admit I can be a bit skeptical when YouTubers or online people bring out products. A lot of it is just done to make a few bob on the side, and not really thought out.

The Tanya Burr Cosmetics Illuminating Powders are new from the range. I watched her Get Ready With Me Video here, where she showcases her new ‘Chasing The Sun’ Collection. The Illuminating Powders in particular took my fancy.

*PR SAMPLES INCLUDED****

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED**