texture Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Posts

Hair Curling Tutorial

I am very hesitant to call this a hair curling tutorial. I’m forever hesitant to use that word anywhere on Beautynook to be honest. But, it’s what people search for, so I’m just jumping on the bandwagon. Don’t think any less of me 🙂

Myself and hair styling would not be the best of friends. I’m lucky in that my hair isn’t too unruly so I can get away with doing the bare minimum with it most of the time. There is really only two facets to my ability. Straightening, which I use the L’Oréal Steampod for. (Review here). Or, I can curl it, which I’m doing a lot of lately.

At first when I was asked a few times by you lovely lot on Snapchat and Instagram how I curl my hair, I kind of got embarrassed. I just think of myself as so shit at hair. I decided to give a ‘hair curling tutorial’ a go anyways though and as I got into it, I realised, maybe I do have a couple of tips that people might learn from. We all do these things differently, right?

I generally curl my hair when it’s freshly clean. I know most people don’t do that, but I have oily roots and if I did it on second or third day hair, it just wouldn’t be worth my while. I’ll use heat protection spray before drying and then just blast dry it. I used the fancy Dyson hairdryer in this video because we’re house sitting. Sad to say, I definitely don’t have one of these at home 🙁

I’ll link the vent brush here too that I use in case you like the look of it 🙂 I let my hair cool and let my really old but favourite Babyliss curling wand heat up. I like less uniformed waves rather than full on curls. That’s of course personal preference though.

I do one side of my head at a time, taking approximately one inch sections. I like the tousled look, so I don’t think too much about it, once all the hair has a bit of a wave I’m happy. Click on the video above or directly here to see the whole Hair Curling Tutorial in action. You’ll get a better sense at how crap I am at hair and of the finished result 🙂

Let me know what you think.

Thanks, as always.

Gemma

xxx

**********INCLUDES A PR SAMPLE*************

August 13, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Benefit Porefessional License to Blot

I’ve had the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot for a long time now.

It’s something I actually pick up quite a lot and just forgot to ever talk about it. It an unusual little product.

Its looks a bit like a pritt stick for your face 🙂 When it comes to comes to marketing and packaging the Benefit team are some of the best in the business, they really are and the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot is a really innovative little product.

According to Benefit: ‘This instant oil-blotting stick with tiny invisible blotting spheres mattifies shine for up to six hours after application. The specially designed triangular tip targets shiny zones: the sides of your nose, forehead and chin. Oil has finally met its matte!

The Benefit Porefessional License To Blot is pretty much designed to throw into your handbag for blotting on the go. It comes in a retractable tube and the product itself is in a triangular shape so it can get around the contours of your face.

The product itself has like a balm texture to it, it’s colourless, so would work on any skin tone. It does have a scent to it, but it’s really very slight.

So does it work?

It definitely blots off any excess oil you might have creeping through your foundation. It also softens the look of any pores that might come through aswell. You should really use a light hand with it and pat it onto the skin as Benefit encourage you to, as it can leave a silicone like film over the top of your makeup. It doesn’t however promote caking like adding powder might do. The fact that you’re applying the product from the tube can get a little grubby as you’re left with makeup marks on it after use, so you have to be sure to clean as you go. I can’t say that it keeps the skin matte for six extra hours, not on my skin anyways, but I would say at least half that time for sure.

I sometimes use the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot in a way it’s not intended too also. Because it works for minimising the look of pores and it is good for blotting, I’ll use it in conjunction with whatever primer I have on the go in my real problem areas on my T-zone before applying foundation (and even sometimes after foundation, if my skin is really acting up).

Overall I really like the Benefit Porefessional License To Blot. It has its flaws but overall does what its supposed to do and may I add at €21.50, it’s cheaper that the primer, but kind of does the same job 🙂 You can pick it up from Debenhams here

xxx

April 15, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Skincare

Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care

Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care…what a mouthful! 🙂

If you have been following Beautynook for any length of time, you will know I have oily, spot prone skin. The Vichy Normaderm range on paper, is literally made for my skin type. Vichy says it’s ‘An expert collection of products to combat the 6 signs of imperfection-prone adult skin: Blemishes, Pores, Shine, Oily Skin, Marks & Uneven Complexion. Suitable for even sensitive skin.’ My skin in a nut shell 🙂

I’ve been using this moisturiser for a couple of months now, so I think I am in a good enough place with it to give you an opinion. Off the bat, I love the packaging. It has a pump applicator, you can control the amount of product that comes out of it by how hard you press on the top of the pump.

The moisturiser itself has a really fresh (but strong scent) that I personally like. The texture of it to me, is like a gel/cream hybrid. It has a thin consistency and soaks into the skin really quickly. If you have oily or combination skin, this is brilliant for a day cream.

Vichy says it contains something called Airlicium, this is supposed to help the moisturiser disperse and absorb sebum. It also contains 1.5% salicylic acid. Alcohol is high up on the ingredients list too, so if you are really senstive, I would be careful.

I can honestly say the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care does not interfere with my makeup longevity. I’ve used so many moisturisers in the past that are just far too emollient and my skin is shiny within the hour. It still manages to moisturise my skin though. My skin, although oily can tend to be dehydrated in places and I’ve found since using the Vichy Normaderm moisturiser this has significantly decreased. My skin feels more replenished.

Using this along with my holy grail toner the La Roche Posay Serozinc (I have a full review of this here), I have also noticed my skin texture (I tend to get alot of whiteheads on my cheeks) has improved alot too. I can’t say it helps particularly with pore appearance like it claims though. It has helped lessen the redness of my hormonal breakouts somewhat, I don’t think a topical cream, can stop them altogether.

I use a pump of the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care after cleansing and toning during the day and leave it to sink in for only about 5-10 minutes, it soaks in really fast. Then, just do my makeup as normal. I use it in my night time routine too, and then follow up with a heavier cream, but that’s completely just me, that isn’t necessary at all.

When it comes to skincare, I can only tell you what works for me, I am by no means an expert 🙂

Overall, the Vichy Normaderm Beautifying Anti-Blemish Care seems to work really well for me though. The bottle I have now is a press sample, but when it runs out, I will definitely repurchase. The Vichy Normaderm range contains toners, cleansers, spot treatments the works and like with most Vichy products, are not too horrendously priced.

You can buy Vichy Normaderm in chemists nationwide and in Boots in store and online here. It will set you back between €19-20 euro, depending on where you purchase it.

Have you tried anything from the range? Be sure to let me know, I’d love some recommendations.

xxx

March 2, 2016/by Gem

Hair

Current Hair Care Favourites

If you don’t follow me on social media, firstly eh why? 🙂 and secondly you won’t have seen that I took the chop with my hair this week. I decided to go to Lisa in Zinc Hair and Beauty because I had heard such great things about her. I can attest to that and say I had a really great experience there and I would definitely recommend them! I was happy to find out my hair is in pretty good shape too, so it sparked the idea to talk about my current hair care favourites in a blog post 🙂

I am by no means an expert on hair care, these are just the products I am using at the minute and seem to be working for me. I have alot of hair, although the hair itself is quite fine. I also get oily roots really quickly so products can weigh my hair down and make it look flat and greasy. I have to be careful.

First up is my shampoo and conditioner.

These are from the Joico Body Luxe Range. I got sent these at Christmas and only got around to using them in the last few weeks. I have really been liking them. These are designed for fullness and volume. I usually wash my hair twice with the shampoo and then add a little conditioner to the ends while finishing off the rest of my shower routine. My hair feels lovely and soft after using them and not at all weighed down.

After washing and to add a bit more conditioning…because I can’t get enough of it 🙂 I’ve been using the Mane n’ Tail Olive Oil Complex Spray Therapy.

This is for shine, detangling and it’s a heat protector, score!

My hair comes out by the bucket load, honestly I shed like a dog, so something like this is great. I apply a layer to my towel dried hair and then use my trusty Wet Brush (I actually have a full review of this here).

This combo seems to give me the less amount of breakage, it doesn’t tug on any knots and I’ve definitely noticed less hair in the brush afterwards.

If I know I am going to be washing my hair early in the morning or early in the day, I love to do a conditioning treatment the night before. I call it a treatment, I literally mean put loads of conditioner into my hair and pin it up when I’m going to bed 🙂

The last few months, I have been using the Alfaparf Precious Nature Leave In Spray. I spoke about doing this on my Snapchat a while back. I love giving mini reviews over there. My username is ‘Beautynook’.

It’s a leave in conditioner so it doesn’t make my hair hard and unmoveable when going to sleep. You know when you put a conditioning treatment in and then your hair is like a rock so it’s super uncomfortable? If I’m super fancy, I’ll even apply some, then throw a towel into the microwave for a couple of seconds to heat it up and then put my hair into it, the heat helps the conditioner on it’s way and your hair feels extra awesome then when you wash it! The Precious Nature Leave In Spray is made specifically for coloured hair. It’s also sulphate and paraben free.

The last thing I wanted to mention is this Joico Hair Shaker.

This is a liquid to powder texturising spray. Now I know texturising sprays don’t make your hair feel particularly nice, but if you’re looking for extra volume, they are a fab addition to your hair care collection. I don’t like backcombing my hair if I can help it, it’s so bad for the condition of it and it makes my hair fuzzy. The Hair Shaker is cool because it applies to your hair as a liquid, so you can move your hair freely into your desired style. For me that’s pretty much straight or wavy I’m low maintenance ha, and then the Hair Shaker dries to a powder finish to hold the volume you created in place. I’ve used hair powders in the past and they are just messy and leave your hair looking dull because the powder is white. Charles Worthington do a texturising spray that I love too and you can buy in Boots.

There you have it. All the hair care products I have been truly using and loving over the last couple of months. I would have included dry shampoo in this too, but the one I’m using has been discontinued…devo!

You can buy Joico from Shampoo.ie

Salon places like Xpert Professional sell Alfaparf

And Mane n Tail is available in pharmacies nationwide.

xxx

February 12, 2016/by Gem

Skincare

Pixi Glow Tonic Review

As you can see from the amount left in the bottle I have been using the Pixi Glow Tonic for a long time now. It has reached cult status and I can understand why.

Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner. So as well as toning your skin and prepping it for moisturiser, it will gently remove dead skin cells, which in turn will help keep your skin smoother. It contains ingredients like Witch Hazel and glycolic acid (5%) to help with exfoliating along with aloe vera to help sooth the skin so it’s not too harsh. Just be sure to use SPF if you use the Glow Tonic in your morning routine as glycolic can sensitise your skin to sunlight, we should be wearing it anyway 🙂

You use Glow Tonic as you would any other toner. Wet a cotton pad with it and apply to your skin. I use it down my neck and on my chest too. You can use it both day and night after cleansing whatever you choose or whatever works best for your skin.

I feel like the Pixi Glow Tonic does pretty much what it says it does for me. It helps keep any dry patches at bay, it helps keep my pores as clear as they can be rather than me using harsh scrubs or exfoliants in my cleansing routine. My skin doesn’t feel tight after using it, it does feel softer though.

Since picking up the La Roche Posay Serozinc, which I reviewed here I love using both this and the Pixi Glow Tonic together.

I feel the Pixi Glow Tonic clears my skin of any impurities or as many as it can do and then the Serozinc keeps them at bay and helps keep the oil away for longer. Neither contain alcohol which is good in my book.

Overall, I really love this Pixi Glow Tonic. I was never really a toner user before, I would try one for a bit and then just get bored or found it wasn’t enhancing my skincare in any way. As someone with oily skin I find the Pixi Glow Tonic fits perfectly into my skincare routine and it actually helping rather than just being a step I am being told to do. Its targeted towards all skin types though. It has a strong scent so be wary of that if you have a sensitive nose.

I get my Pixi Glow Tonic from Mise Beauty They are based in Dundalk which is a bit of a trek for me from Dublin, but it’s instant gratification and they sell so many other cool products too, it’s always worth it 🙂

xxx

May 19, 2015/5 Comments/by Gem

Hair

Hair Care.

I have a love hate relationship with my hair. I have been blessed with lots of it, that in fairness I can just wash and dry and be out the door on a normal basis, happy days. However, I am not blessed with the bodily or mental functions to do much with it. I can spend hours on my makeup for a night out and then my hair is curled in a tong tangled frizzy before running out the door. Thank god nowadays we have lots of hair care lotions and potions to help with hair styling that makes it easier for novices like me to look half decent 🙂

I’ve been loving vo5’s new offerings of late (you might have noticed that from the photo above). They were also on 3 for 2 in Boots which makes them even more tempting to try 🙂

This is the Plump It Up Dry Backcombing Spray from them. This spray has collagen in it so helps you get the back combed effect without using too much combing or a brushing to achieve it. You spray it in the roots of your hair and rub it in and it boosts your hair without damaging it. I like using this for a night out, its not too sticky and it last the duration.

Next up from is also from the V05 range and is called Plump It Up, this is an amplifying blow dry lotion. It claims to give volume and thickness with natural bounce and is a heat defence. I can concur that this gem of a product does speed up your time under the hair dryer which is great, as it means less frizz and damage, I can’t say it really offers volume and bounce. It doesn’t weigh my hair down though, which alot of heat defences can so for me was worth buying.

I know there is a texturising spray in the V05 range that I have, but I prefer this one so wanted to add this in.

This is the Charles Worthington Volume and Bounce Texturising Spray. I like this over the Vo5 texturising spray as it is lighter and not as sticky, it is still sticky though be warned! This has been to compared to the very coveted and expensive Orbe Dry Texturising Spray. I like using this in the ends of my hair to give my hair a bit of movement and bounce without using heat on it and I think it works well. It also smells amazing. You can use this for backcombing too, but as I have an oily scalp so I only use this in the lengths of my hair. I picked this up in Boots too not too long ago. I think its a good find.

My next hair care love is the Fudge Urban Styling Mousse. I have straight hair naturally and I always thought mousse was just for straight hair, but this stuff smells amazing (iced raspberry and vanilla they say is the scent), it’s a heat protectant but also its great for frizz. If I use alot of heat on my hair frizz is inevitable, especially on my roots, this mousse does a great job of keeping this to a minimum. I picked this up in Superdrug, it’s my first delve into this brand, I would like to try more.

I try to give my hair a break from using heat on it as much as possible, so when I have time or nowhere to go I use the L’Oreal Elvive Full Restore Conditioning Repairing Spray. This is a leave in conditioning, it’s not too heavy and doesn’t leave your hair feeling greasy which I love because my hair is prone to feeling yucky after using conditioning or any products really. Again, I love the smell which is a bonus as your left with that smell until the next time you wash your hair. I just comb some of this through the lengths of my hair and let it dry naturally, and it makes my hair nice and soft without too much bother.

I know alot of these hair care products do some of the same things, but depending on your mood or how you want to style your hair it’s good to have a range of things to choose from. All of these brands are readily available and are at a very reasonable price point, so you can have a choice without breaking the bank.

As always thanks for taking the time to read and any hair tips are greatly appreciated 😛

Gemma

xxx

June 7, 2014/by Gem