top Archives - Page 64 of 65 - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Posts

Image Skincare Gift Ideas

I know I know it’s October and we are talking about Christmas yet again, but it’s time to get those thinking caps on!!

I am a huge fan of Image Skincare, and it is such a popular brand now, alot of salons are opting to use it for their treatments. Lets face it though, it is not cheap. So Christmas is the perfect time to splurge on it. Also, the Luxury Gift Collection is giving you money off for buying the products together…score!

If someone you love is a fan of Image Skincare or is just into their skincare in general, the brand have some lovely gift sets for the up and coming season. I was lucky enough to preview them, so thought I would share their loveliness with you 🙂

There are three to choose from that are put together for the specific skin type the person receiving it might have. This takes the guess work out of it which is handy.

We have the Image Selection, Vita C Celebration and Ageless Illumination to choose from and there is a saving of at least 32euro when you purchase a set!

Whether it is yourself availing of these offers (the money off is pretty impressive so why wouldn’t you) or you are buying for someone else, be sure to have a chat with the professional selling you them to find out the specifics on which set will suit which skin type and person. Image is a clinical skincare company so their products are very powerful and do what they say on the tin. Don’t waste your money on the wrong ones.

You can find a full list of stockists here and the Christmas Collections all come in a lovely cosmetics bag which is big and useful unlike some I have received through the years that you couldn’t even use as a coin purse.

Are you a fan of Image Skincare like me?

Happy October 😛

xxx

October 15, 2014/by Gem

Archives

Kevyn Aucoin- The Sculpting Powder

I have spoken before in passing about my beloved Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder in Medium, but I really think it deserves it own blog post!

I have not been blessed with anything angular on my face (or anywhere for that matter). I know contouring is not a necessity in everyday life, it is a complete choice, and for me it’s a choice I make everyday. I have tried many different products for the “chiselling” process and to date the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder has been the best one I have personally used. Now, I will say I only use this in the cheek bone department, I tend to use bronzer around the perimeter of my face, this is just what I feel comfortable doing. If I am dolling up for a night out, then I may put some under the double chin region to help it look less…well double chin like but that would only be if I’m really packing on the face!

The Sculpting Powder really is a luxury item, this set me back just under 42.00 euro from Mise Beauty, madness I know as it’s nearly the size of an eyeshadow, 3.10grams to be exact.

However, I have had this for maybe 6 months, have used it everyday and there is just barely a dint in it.

This powder, unlike alot of bronzers on the market has no red tones to it at all, it has a grey undertone. This makes it perfect for contouring, particularly I think for pale gals like myself. The purpose of contouring is to create a shadow like appearance wherever you add it to the face tricking the eye and making your features appear slimmer or more angular, as highlighting is used to enhance features you want to draw more attention too.

This little box is magic, it contains the softest and most pigmented powder ever, you need such a light hand with it. It blends so beautifully and can be built upon depending on how much cheek bone you are going for 🙂

I tend to use a a dense small brush with it. It is not for warming up the face, use your bronzer for that. I have been enjoying using the Nima Brush called “Blaithin” from their Artistic Collection to apply it of late, as it is tapered at the end, dense but still soft enough to blend the product in. And less face it, it’s pretty too 🙂

I do the well known “fishy face” in the mirror to myself and that shows me where my “cheekbones” are, then I add a little of the product directly under the bone concentrating most of at my ear and bringing the brush out, not too far though, I stop just around where my nostril is. Then I blend, the cardinal rule of makeup. The Sculpting Powder doesn’t disappear from blending it just gets more faint and natural looking. Add as much as you want, I usually just add a little for day to day.

And I can safely say that it lasts the whole day, it’s not something I would every bring with me in my handbag unless I was going to redo my whole makeup.

Before Contouring

After Light Contouring

It’s an investment I know, but I think after buying it and using it for a long time, it was worth it.

What do use for contouring, be sure to let me know, there could be lots of hidden gems out there 🙂

Thanks,

Gemma

xxx

October 9, 2014/6 Comments/by Gem

Archives

Revlon Parfumerie-Scented Nail Polish

Scented nail polish? I remember these from back in the 90’s, yep I’m that old! A goopy, cheaply scented mess, that kids painted their whole hands with, not something I really wanted to relive.

When I saw these beautiful little bottles on the shelf in Boots, they spoke to me. That ever happen to you? They are just so gosh darn cute, how could one resist 🙂 There is not a huge array of colours in the Revlon Parfumerie range, but there is enough practical shades and a couple of whimsical ones to keep your colour needs at bay.

I chose two colours “Surf Spray and “Ginger Melon”.

“Surf Spray” is a typical me colour.

I always gravitate towards green and blue nail polish, I don’t know why.

This goes on quite sheer so needs about 3 coats to look opaque on the nails.

It’s a really pretty shimmery blue, and when it dries it does smell of what we imagine surf spray to…or at least what candles and products with similar names do anyway 🙂

“Ginger Melon” is much more of solid traditional nail polish colour.

It’s a fab orangey coral number, which would be fab on the tootsies as well as the fingers.

This is much easier to apply than “Surf Spray”, its very opaque and you could probably get away with one coat in a hurry, although I did two. When it dries it has a lovely sweet scent to it that is not overpowering at all.

Both of the colours lasted really well on my nails and only wore away rather than chipping, I was really impressed.

I like the scented element of them. As a nail polish junkie, I try to get involved in all of the trends that come up. The smells are not very strong. They would not be putting you off your dinner, in my opinion anyway. You just get a subtle whiff if your hands get close to your face or like me if you keep “discreetly” putting your fingers to my nose to see if the scent is still there…I’m a classy lady!

After a few handwashes, I think the scent fades even more, so if you didn’t like it and just enjoyed the colour of the polish, you don’t have to worry too much about it. And lets face it the bottles are adorable, I think I would nearly buy one for that alone, don’t judge me.

Overall, these are really nice nail polishes, and I think Revlon did a really nice job, the scent gimmick would pull you in, but I think the polishes themselves stand alone as good, opaque and long lasting. I bought these in Boots, on offer buy one get the second half off. As with most Revlon items they are overpriced in Europe at 8.99Euro.

So there’s my thoughts on the Revlon Parfumerie range, if you have anything to add be sure to write it in the comments below.

Thanks,

Gemma

xxx

July 28, 2014/1 Comment/by Gem

Skincare

Oily Skin Moisturisers

Just because you have oily skin does not mean you do not need to moisturise. Your skin still needs to be looked after and nourished. Here are some of the products I have been reaching for and enjoying of late to moisturise my face.

For daily use the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo has been my go to cream. I got this after reading many blogposts and reviews about it. It’s a paraben free facial moisturiser that aids with unclogging pores and helps with imperfections, specifically formulated for oily, spot prone skin.

It also claims to help control oil. I cannot say it does that but if definitely does not add more to your skin, so for me that’s a plus. It’s nice and light aswell, so I don’t feel like I am putting layers of product onto my skin and if you have oily skin you know that’s a good thing.

I would use an eye cream with this too as this would not be suitable for around the eye area.

In the evening time is when I really think about moisturising and replenishing my skin.

After cleansing, I will use a serum. The two I have been loving at the minute are the Image Skincare Iluma Intense Lightening Serum and the Neostrata Illuminating Serum. Both of these products are full of lovely ingredients to help lighten discolouration and to help cool and calm as well as protect from any more discolouration. I use these serums around my eyes also.

If my skin is particularly acting up I will just add some of the Nimue Purifier on any breakouts I might have. This helps ease spots, helps with infection and help prevent spreading a breakout…awesome. But it also does not dry out your skin like other spot treatments can. I love it!

Sometimes, I want to treat my skin and use a hydrating luxurious cream. I use the night time for this as no one has to look at my shiny, scary makeup less face 🙂 I have been loving the very posh Chantecaille Flower Harmonising Cream for this.

This is a lovely heavy cream full of essential oils. It is 87% botanicals including a base of rosewater (so it smells of roses). This feels lovely on the skin and is meant to boost collagen too which I’m all for…I’m nearly 30 after all 🙂

The revered Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a must for everyone. It works simple as that.

This stuff gets slathered onto my lips, lashes and eyebrows at night. It’s not the most appealing product in the world but my god does it work! It’s leaves your lips lovely and soft aswell as anywhere else you need extra moisture.

I am fickle and I change my skincare (and makeup) like the weather, but I think there’s a couple of lovelies in here that I will keep for a long time to come.

Thanks loads for letting me offload my thoughts on you. If you use any particular products that are great for oily, spot prone skin, be sure to let me know.

Gemma

xxx

July 16, 2014/by Gem

Archives

Birthday Haul 2014

So I turned another year older not too long ago, 29 to be exact. One step closer to 30 Arrrgggghhhhh, no I’m not worried about that in the slightest 😛

My lovely friends and family were very kind to me (and I was a bit kind to myself too) so thought you might want to nose at what I got, perhaps for some shopping inspiration or just to window shop.

First up, is my main pressie from the boyfriend, I dropped many a hint for these.

These are the Rayban Clubmasters. I am a sunglasses junkie and have wanted these for ages.

I am going through a bit of a 90’s phase at the minute as are alot of people and these sunnies fit right in with this 🙂

He also treated me to a fresh bottle of my very beloved fragrance Viktor&Rolf’s Flowerbomb. I love this perfume so much. It’s flowery and musky all at the same time, and lingers on your skin for ages, I think I will always have a bottle of this in my perfume collection.

Out of some bday cash, I treated myself to another smelly item. This is Diptyque candle in the scent Mimosa. I am obsessed with this smell, it makes me happy, if you are ever in Brown Thomas or Spacenk, give your nostrils a treat and take a whiff. This is definitely not an everyday purchase, it set me back 50 quid, madness I know, but Diptyque candles burn beautifully and the scent really fills the room, so I do think you get your money’s worth out of them.

I got this gorgeous mint green Ted Baker makeupbag for my handbag, I couldn’t resist. BT2 were having a sale and I picked up this little beauty for 21 euro. Don’t think that’s too bad at all, and it fits perfectly into my handbag.

I bought some posh bits of makeup to add to my every growing collection.

I have been after this for ages and it’s always out of stock, so when Spacenk opened in Grafton Street, and they had it I literally jumped on it. This is the very coveted By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Misty Rock.

This is my second Ombre Blackstar I have Bronze Moon too which I absolutely adore. This one however, I think is going to be my favourite. It is the prettiest mauvey purple colour, that shimmers in the light, and nearly looks wet on your eyelids. It may need its own blogpost soon 🙂

Another makeup wish was granted from the new Spacenk.

This is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. Hourglass do these setting and highlighting powders separately but to be able to get them in a palette form really makes me happy as you can have the 3 of them in 1.

There is 3 setting/highlighting powders in the palette. Dim Light, Incandescent Light and Radiant Light. Again this product may need it’s very own blogpost soon 🙂

I bought some Boots in Office while out on my Birthday travels.

These cut out boots were on the sale rack and I couldn’t resist. I think they’ll work for hot and cold weather aswell as with dresses and trousers. At 46 euro I think they were a bargain and I will get a lot of wear from them.

The last thing I bought I really feel bullied into. Everyone is obsessed with this palette and won’t stop talking about…so well I had to invest 😛

I won’t waffle on too much about it because I had to buy it on eBay and it hasn’t come yet, but the internet is ripe with blogposts about how fab it is.

I should probably leave it there and stop milking the birthday, think I’m a bit old for that now 🙂

If you have any of these be sure to let me know what you think. I love your feedback.

Thanks,

Gemma

xxx

June 23, 2014/by Gem

Archives

Powder Highlight

Having oily skin doesn’t mean you have to have matte skin all the time. You can add glow strategically without adding oil or unwanted shine. I love the way cream and liquid highlighters look on other people but for me after wearing one for about an hour, I look like I’ve put my face in a chip pan…not cute. So I get my glowy kick from highlighters of the powdered variety. Here are a few of my firm faves from my stash.

These are the only Dior products that I own…at the minute and I liked this product so much, I got both colours of the powder highlight, very bad I know.

This is Dior’s Shimmer Powder in Rose Diamond. I love these highlighters because they’re so versatile and so they should be for how much they cost. They have a gradient colour so Rose Diamond goes from a blush pink that can be used as a blush to a light nearly white shimmer highlight.

The other one is Amber Diamond

Amber Diamond is the gold version of this highlighter. So it gives more of a bronzer glow, and again has a gradient of colours from a tan to a lighter, nearly white gold.

These highlighter are in no way glittery, it’s shimmer all the way, they are lovely and soft so are easy to blend. You can choose the colours easily in the palette or give them all a swish with the brush to give yourself a coloured glow. I love using the lighter part these for an inner eye corner highlight too, need to get the moneys worth 🙂

Had to add a Mac Mineralize Skin Finish into my mix.

This is Mac’s Soft & Gentle. It’s a gorgeous goldy bronze highlighter. Again, it’s not really glittery as I am not a fan.

This is more of a hardcore highlighter especially for someone who is as pale as me (Mac NC20), so I reserve this for a night out on the town, it photographs lovely. I’ll use this for an eyeshadow too all over the lid, with a nice matte taupe in the crease, gorgeous 🙂

I wanted to add in a blush too to show you don’t need to splurge and buy a highlighter too you can get a lovely highlighted effect from blush as well.

This is my very beloved and very battered Nars blush in Orgasm. I think every makeup lover in the land has at least heard about this blush and has probably owned it at one stage. It is the perfect peachy pinky easy to wear blusher. But what is great about it is it has the prettiest gold fleck going through it which makes it a gorge highlighter as well.

It makes your cheeks glimmer, without being too overpowering. Love it!

Keeping on the frugal end of the spectrum, you do not have to splurge to be fabulous and glowing. You can have a look in your stash and I am sure you will find a lovely light eyeshadow that will do the job perfectly for you. These are a couple of my favourites from my collection for inspiration.

Here are Inglot’s Freedom System’s Pearl Shadow in 393 and Makeup Geek’s Bling. I love these for highlighting my tear duct, the eyelid and the top of the cheekbones.

You can find colours similar to these in any eyeshadow palette or quad, I’m sure you all have one, so why not give it a go?

Phew…I’m all highlighted out now 🙂

Thanks for sticking with me.

Gemma

xxx

June 11, 2014/by Gem