treatment Archives - Irish Beauty Blog Beautynook

Posts

Getting a lash lift. My Experience

I just got my third lash lift and shared some of the experience on my Instagram, as I always do. There was lots of questions so I thought it might be worth doing a blogpost about my thoughts on it here.

I had my first one at the beginning of 2017 in the Vanity Rooms in Stepaside. They invited me out to try out their LVL lash lift. I was so excited because I have super straight lashes. It’s something I always moan about. If I want a curl to last, I have to use a decent lash curlers and then go in strong with the waterproof mascara to maintain it. I toyed with the idea of lash extensions. But I am too much of a picker, and I love eye makeup too much 🙂

Disclaimer, excuse the brows from these throwback pictures, I’ve come along way :)

So what is a lash lift? It’s basically a perm for your eyelashes. In my experience, it’s a three step process. I have had both LVL (a brand name of Nouveu lashes I believe), and then I was invited to try Yumi lashes too in Elysian Brows, it seems to work the same way for them all.

You’re prepped and your eyes are protected. A plastic shield is put on above the top lashes and then the lifting solution is applied in upwards motions moulding your lashes around the shield. Very gently and precisely I might add. That’s left to do it’s work, then removed. A setting solution is then applied and you let that do it’s thing. After that in most places, A tint is applied to make your lashes look darker and more defined.

A lash lift is not particularly a comfortable treatment. Your eyes are closed throughout and they are being prodded at, so going to a professional in my humble opinion is a must! It’s uncomfortable for sure, but it’s not painful, nor should it be.

It’s also way less maintenance than eyelash extensions. It’s just your own lashes curled, so you don’t have to maintain them necessarily, although it’s good to brush them through regularly and try not sleep on your face if you can 🙂 Some single lashes can go astray, so combing them through helps keep them on the curl and narrow ha! They say you don’t need mascara after getting it done, I use mascara to make them look more full and I get the six-ish weeks out of my treatment. Just don’t do anything crazy for the first 24 hours! You can of course purchase specific serums and mascaras in the salon that may help prolong the effects, I don’t do that myself.

A lash lift lasts as long as your natural lash cycle really, so it can be up to eight weeks. You’ll see the curl disappear, and you’ll want another one 🙂

My latest lash lift was in the Brow Boutique in Jervis Street shopping centre. At €55, it was the cheapest place I could find in the city with decent reviews and a reputable name. They did a great job and I’m super happy with the outcome. I would recommend all three salons.

If I can fork out the cash every six-eight weeks, it’s something I would definitely keep up! Have you had a lash lift? What has been your experience?

xxx

December 14, 2018/2 Comments/by Gem

Skincare, Youtube Video

Elf Magnetic Mask & Night Time Routine

The Elf Magnetic Mask is one of the coolest products I have ever tried. Does it work? I’m not sure yet I’ve only used it twice so far. I couldn’t resist putting in a video though to show you how you use it.

This concept of the Elf Magnetic Mask isn’t new to the market necessarily. There has been a few out before it. But, this is hands down the most affordable one at the moment. Unfortunately it hasn’t made it to our shores yet.

I was lucky enough to get one as a press sample. It is on their website here though and they do international shipping, if you fancy taking the plunge. For some reason the euro price is much more expensive. Hopefully if it does come over here, it won’t be as bad.

I can say my skin felt really nice both times I’ve used it. And I do feel like it drew some clogged pores to the surface. I definitely had a bit of a breakout after the first time. But in a good way, if that makes sense? 🙂

So in the video I give you a demo of the Elf Magnetic Mask. It’s so much fun to use. You apply the mask and then use the magnetized applicator to literally pull it off your skin. Sounds scary, but you can hardly feel it. There’s iron in it so that’s what makes it magnetic.

I’ve never been happier using a face mask…look at me like!

Within the video, I also gave a quick rundown on what I’ve been using to cleanse and then my bedtime moisturising concoction too.

I used:

Bioderma to take my eye makeup off. It’s in a limited edition pump bottle. If you can get your hands on it. Do! It’s on the Cloud10Beauty website here.
Nia Cleansing Balm. It’s on their website here.
Clarins Double Serum. (Review here).
Clarins Total V Contouring Serum.
Neostrata Bionic Eye Cream Plus. I found it on the Meaghers Pharmacy website here.
The Ordinary Retinoid 2%. More info on this here.
Botanics Facial Oil. It’s on the Boots website here.
Catrice Volumizing Lip Balm.

This is my current night time routine although I do alternate serums and I don’t always use an oil. I have oily skin, so it really just depends on whether I feel I need it or not.

As always you can click on the video above to watch the magic happen or you can go directly to my YouTube channel here. 🙂

Let me know what you think.

Gemma

xxx ********CONTAINS PR SAMPLES***********

September 22, 2017/by Gem

Monthly Favourites, Youtube Video

September Favourites 2016

It’s monthly favourites time again. I’m back to ramble all about my September Favourites for 2016 this time.

Can you believe it’s October? The year is honestly slipping away at a rapid speed, I can’t keep up at all! My September favourites consist of makeup,skincare,fragrance and even a stab into the fashion world.

There’s the original Urban Decay Naked Palette. You can of course get this from Debenhams here.

The makeup mixing palette, I picked up in store from Penneys for €4. A little bloody bargain.

The Sleek Cleopatra’s Kiss Palette. I have a full review and demo of this here. It’s worth a look, I promise 🙂

The Clarins Instant Light Comfort Lip Oil. A definite splurge at €21, but a really nice treat for the lips. You can get it from Debenhams here.

Stella McCartney Pop Eau De Parfum. Summer in a bottle for me 🙂 You can buy this from Boots or any decent perfume shop. Here’s a link to it on the Debenhams website.

Asian sheet masks are readily available from different sellers on eBay or Amazon. A Irish distribution called Natural Balance Global sent me the SNP ones that I have particularly enjoying. Here’s a link to their website if you fancy checking them out. They do come in boxes of ten though, I think that’s worth noting, in case you were just looking to try them out.

Then, the last of my September Favourites includes my cute little Zara bag. It’s €29.95 and I ordered it from the website here. May I add, Zara are killing it in the bag game. I just went on there to get the link for my bag and saw at least five other bags I really really want!

And there you have my September favourites for 2016!

I am kinda sad to be leaving the Summer behind, not gonna lie 🙂

Anything you’ve been particularly loving lately?

xxx

October 2, 2016/1 Comment/by Gem

Makeup, Skincare

Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation

I’m a big fan of Image Skincare. I’ve used a fair few of their products over the years. It’s definitely not the cheapest out there, but with it being a salon grade brand, you do get what you pay for.

The Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation has gotten a bit of a a spruce up. The packaging is more modern and sleek than previously. I’ve been using this bad boy for a good chunk of time now, so I thought it was time for me to give my thoughts on it and show you it in action. Readers beware, there is some no makeup pictures below 🙂

I really like the new packaging. It has a brushed clear plastic casing and then you twist the top to reveal the pump.

According to Image: ‘I Conceal is the all-in-one illuminating, lightweight and water-resistant foundation, which heals and conceals to reveal a healthier, flawless complexion every day. It is available in 6 different colours – Porcelain, Natural, Beige, Suede, Toffee and Mocha – so there is one suitable for everybody. This daily healthy skin foundation is mineral based, paraben free, is breathable and oxygenates and heals the skin. It gives maximum coverage without a heavy appearance and gives a dewy glow to all skins. I-Conceal Flawless Foundation is SPF 30 and provides broad spectrum UVA / UVB protection. This Image Skincare Flawless Foundation is indicated for daily use on all skin types and highly effective for the following:

Pigmentation
Redness & Rosacea
Acne & Acne Scarring
Post-Cosmetic Injections
Bruising & Scaring
Post-treatment
Post-Laser
Post-Surgery

In Gemma terms the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation is really rather nice! With my skin being on the oilier side, I find anything with a high SPF is usually too greasy for my skin and it either slips and slides on my face or makes my makeup slip and slide. This means I end up not using an SPF which is so so bad I know, or using a foundation with a much lower amount, that’s probably not really doing much for my skin at all!

I have the colour ‘Natural’ which is a shade or maybe two too dark for me, but I make it work by taking it down the neck. ‘Porcelain’ would be a better match.

This was a press sample though so I wasn’t colour matched for it.

Although the consistency is on the thicker side, it does blend really well too so I can kind of get away with it. 🙂 So here it is in action on my mug.

My skin with no product applied

I applied the foundation with a dense brush and made sure to take it down my neck

I buffed it in really well

Straight after application

About ten minutes after application

The I Conceal to me has a medium to full coverage depending on how much you apply or what tool you use. It covers redness really well and I find I use less concealer on blemishes afterwards. It has a more dewy finish, but it also sets so it doesn’t feel oily or leave a residue behind. As I do have oily skin, I tend to powder down my makeup or go for more matte finish foundations just because they last longer. I don’t mind a bit of luminosity at all if it doesn’t make the natural oils come through. And I concur that for me the Image I Conceal really doesn’t. Actually after this application, I wasn’t going anywhere so I didn’t add any more makeup after taking the photos and went about my day. It took a good few hours before what I like to call the ugly shine came through 🙂

I can’t speak too much about it’s restorative qualities as my skin is not healing from anything major. I do suffer from spots though and it does seem to ease the redness and any inflammation which is awesome!

I honestly can’t fault the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation. It’s skincare, SPF 30 and good coverage mineral foundation in one! They say it works for all skin types and usually I would kind of guffaw at a statement like that, but the fact that it gives a dewy finish, but has really great staying power…dare I say, I kind of agree with them!

I think the Image I Conceal Flawless Foundation retails for about €48 so it’s definitely a splurge. If it does interest you though, pop into a salon that sells Image and ask for a sample. Renaissance have a list of stockists here.

xxx

June 3, 2016/2 Comments/by Gem

Archives, Bargain Buying, Makeup

Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters

The Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters is a super cute trend edition collection just released from the Essence Cosmetics.

The limited edition Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters contains 9 products all for our unruly eyebrows and all for under a fiver!

First up we have the Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters Eyebrow Treatment.

According to Essence this ‘provides ideal overnight care. It’s enriched with valuable oils, it ensures smooth hair and makes brows look gorgeous while you sleek’. It costs €3.10.

This is the Essence Eyebrow Little Monsters Tweezers.

Super cute and super cheap too at €2.50.

There’s also a Eyebrow And Highlight Set They are baked powders.

It has two brow powder shades one is more cool toned and one is a little warmer. Then, there’s a light highlighter shade on the end.

I have the colour 01 Little Miss Natural.

It also comes in a darker trio 02 Little Miss Bold and costs €4.10.

Next up is the Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters Eyebrow Mascara.

This is a tinted brow gel with fibres in it.

It’s available in two shades 01 Ernie Knows Best (which I have here) and also a darker shade 02 Bert Knows Better. It costs €3.50.

The Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters – Eyebrow Lifters.

These are shimmery cream stick brow highlighters.

They come in two shades. 01 ‘Lift’em Up In White

And 02 ‘Lift’em up in Rosy’

They will set you back €3.10.

There is also Essence Eyebrow Stencils.

These cost €2.30 for a pack of three.

We have an Eyebrow Styler in the collection too!

It has a slanted brush on one end and a spooley on the other.

This costs €3.10.

The Essence Little Eyebrow Monsters collection also has a clear Eyebrow Fixing Gel for €2.90

and Eyebrow pens in three shades for €3.80 in it too!

little miss bold

little miss natural

little miss dark

It really contains everything your brows desire and for such an affordable price. It is limited edition so is available in usual Essence Cosmetics retailers including Penneys from April until May.

Anything take your fancy? 🙂

xxx

April 29, 2016/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Skincare

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream, a very well known skincare staple in the beauty world.

Us beauty enthusiasts go on about Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream alot, but does it live up to the hype? And exactly what can you use it for?

Elizabeth Arden will give you a list as long as your arm including using it on your eyelids and cheekbones as a highlighter, to tame fly away hairs and the likes. I don’t think this stuff is very practical in the real world, so I wanted to list my real life uses in a post 🙂

Eight hour cream has an ointment texture, although I get the fragrance free version, there is still a slight nearly medicinal scent to it, but it doesn’t linger so it’s not something to worry about too much. It is not fast absorbing so don’t be expecting it to soak into your skin any time soon. I see this as a pro rather than a con though because of what I use it for.

Here is what I use it for:

Chapped lips! It so great for hydrating the lips. It’s a great night time treatment, but it works really well to prep the lips before lipstick application as well as a giving the lips a nice shine without being sticky if you want to just wear it on its own.
I use it as a night time treatment on my brows and eyelashes. I think it helps with their condition. It also helps with softening any hard brow hairs you might have too.
It is fab for dry cuticles, it needs alot of working in, but it’s worth it.
If you wear lashes, you know the plight of left over lash glue, Eight Hour Cream massaged into the roots can help remove it gently.
Any dry skin spots you might have will benefit from a splodge of it!
If you have scrapes or minor burns it can help ease the itch and heal the abrasion.
Finally, I use it a foot treatment. I slather it on and then put some fluffy socks on before going to bed. It helps with cracked heels and any dryness that you might have from wearing stupid shoes (like me 🙂 )

Overall, Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream is a brilliant product to have in your skincare arsenal. It has so many uses, probably more than I have listed, they’re just things I use it for personally. It’s not cheap you can get it in Boots, Debenhams, anywhere that sells Elizabeth Arden really. The standard price is €33. A tube of it will last you forever though. The one I have now is over a year and it’s still going strong. I did order mine from Strawberry.net where if you’re lucky you can sometimes get a good deal on it.

Let me know if you use it and if there’s any other cool uses 🙂

xxx

January 18, 2016/1 Comment/by Gem