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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

Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer

I’ve heard and read a lot of mixed reviews about the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. I swatched it a while back at an Urban Decay masterclass. And from then, I was super intrigued, so I took the hit and picked it up from Debenhams.

First up, I really like the packaging of these UD primers (they come in different finishes). I always appreciate a pump when I’m spending a few bob on a product. I like that you can see how much product is in the bottle too. You get 28 mls for on average €29. So you’re getting a ml of product per euro. It contains rosehip and argan oil.

So what does the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer claim to do? Well pretty much that. They say it blurs pores and fine lines. As well giving a velvet like texture to the skin to help foundation go on smoother. It gives the skin a bit of a pink tint. UD say this helps illuminate the skin. I think if you’re my skin tone or lighter that might be the case. But, if you’re darker, it could give a white cast to the skin, that might not be so flattering.

I really like this primer, it works really well for me. I do tend to use it only in my t-zone though. It’s thick in consistency and takes a bit of working in to the skin. I press it into my skin with the tips of my fingers.

The big no no that people say about it is that it balls up as you apply. That definitely can happen with a silicone heavy product like this if you use too much, or use it over a thicker moisturiser. They’re two things I tend to avoid on a daily basis so for the most part it blends out smoothly on my skin. It definitely glides over my enlarged pores and helps fill in my more prominent forehead lines. It gives a smooth base and foundation blends well over top. I find it does help with longevity too. I do always set my makeup with powder as well though.

It reminds me of a thicker Benefit Porefessional, with a drier finish on the skin. I find that as it is thicker, it goes further than Porefessional.

I can whole heartedly say I am happy enough that I spent the €29 on the Urban Decay Optical Illusion Complexion Primer. It ticks all the primer boxes for me. My skin likes silicone heavy primers and this is definitely that with a more velvet finish. Have you tried it?

xxx

June 27, 2018/by Gem

Makeup, Makeup Tutorial, Youtube Video

Urban Decay BackTalk Tutorial

Yes, I am talking about it again! I said I would 🙂 In the last post here, I gave you swatches and my initial thoughts on it. Now I am back with a full on Urban Decay BackTalk Tutorial! Lipstick included.

Usually I probably would have went a bit more neutral on the eyes showcasing a palette like this. But the lighter shimmery eyeshadows really don’t float my makeup boat. So my Urban Decay BackTalk Tutorial ended up being a bit darker than intended. But that’s ok and I hope it gives you an idea of how some of the better shadows work. I don’t want to write the palette off completely. I want to hopefully give you an indication of the good and the bad. I think most things in this beauty industry is up for interpretation. We all have different needs and wants.

As always you can click here to check out the video directly, or it’s at the top of this post to click on too, for your convenience 🙂

I also used the namesake BackTalk lippie in this video, which I am really a fan of. This whole palette is based around this, their best selling lipstick.

I also used a dark purple liner to add some definition to the top lash line. Lots of mascara, top and bottom and then a flesh coloured liner in the inner rim of my eyes just to make me look more awake. I know pinks and mauves can sometimes make the eyes look a little tired if you don’t break them up a little.

And that’s pretty much it for my Urban Decay BackTalk tutorial, yep I called it a tutorial, sure feck it 🙂 You can buy it from Debenhams here pretty soon if you like what you see. House Of Fraser have it in stock now.

xxx

PR SAMPLE

June 13, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Urban Decay BackTalk Palette

There’s been a lot of talk about the new Urban Decay BackTalk Palette. Yes I was trying to be clever using the name there and what of it? 🙂

I’ve had my eye on it since it’s release. As you probably know I am a huge Urban Decay fan just in general. I always keep informed about their new releases. And Jesus there’s a lot of them to keep up with. I may look at the brand through rose coloured glasses, but I always feel like they put their own spin on new trends. The products are generally really good quality too, so they keep me interested.

I’ve been really liking the Huda Beauty Mauve Obsessions Palette of late, so the Urban Decay BackTalk Palette is right up my mauve loving street.

Just in case you didn’t know the BackTalk Palette is completely inspired by Urban Decay’s best selling Vice lipstick BackTalk, which as you can see is a mauve lip lovers delight.

I recently went to a Masterclass in the Urban Decay Flagship store here in Dublin for the palette. They kindly gave me it to bring home and the lipstick too. I am obsessed with the lippie, it’s right up my street. Mauve, matte but not drying, opaque in colour and really comfortable. I can understand why it’s a best seller. We’re here to talk about the new release though 🙂

The Urban Decay BackTalk Palette contains two components separated by a magnetic, removable mirror within the middle of it.

On one side we have blush and highlights, all within the mauve monochromatic theme.

From left to right:

Cheap Shot, Double Take, Low Key, Party Foul.

Then if we flip over to the other side of the mirror, there is eight eyeshadow shades. Ranging from a pinky nude, to a dark coppered brown shade. Containing mattes and shimmers.

From left to right:

3 Sheets, Bare, Curve, Backtalk, Shade, Attitude, WTF, 180.

If I am being completely honest. Overall, this palette just doesn’t perform for me. There are some shades that I do like. The Party Foul highlighter is nice and I like Backtalk, Shade and WTF particularly. There’s no consistency to the formulas though. The lighter shimmer shadows Bare and Curve take a lot of work. I find the magnetic mirror really good in theory, as you can take it out to do your makeup or whatever. But if you leave it in it’s just a bit cumbersome when you are switching between sides. It moves around! If I hadn’t been kindly gifted this palette, I totally would have gone out myself and bought it. Would I have been disappointed with my purchase? I think I would have been yes 🙁

I’ll definitely do a look over on my YouTube channel with the palette so you can see it in real action on the visage. For now, I’ll just leave you with my messy swatches.

The Urban Decay BackTalk Palette will be available from House Of Fraser and Debenhams in store and online from the 14th of June here in Ireland. The RRP is €43.00.

Does it float your mauve loving boat?

xxx

PR SAMPLE

June 6, 2018/by Gem

Beautynook Tips, Makeup

Fuller Lips Makeup Technique

I think the theme of this post is pretty self explanatory from the title. This is my three step process to getting fuller lips.

Now I do mention this in the video as well. I love Instagram as much as the next blogger. But, I very much try to live in the real makeup wearing world for the most part. So there’ll be no drag queen over drawing here, (as much as I love what they do.) This is my guide to natural, but fuller lips.

I use three products here, but all three lend themselves to a more poutier look in their own right really. A slick of liner, lipstick or gloss tends to make your lips stand out more, so on their own can make your lips look a little bigger.

This run through is for the time when you want to take a bit of time, even out your lip line, make it a little bigger and also make everything last as long as possible throughout the day. The products I used aren’t necessarily important, but the tones are, I think.

This is my go to nude, fuller lip look. My skin tone doesn’t lend itself to super nude lips, so I settle for a more brown nude colour spectrum.

I use Mac Whirl lip liner to even out and over draw my lip line slightly. My top lip is smaller than my bottom so I like to make them look a bit more symmetrical. I used Laura Geller’s High Line Honey lipstick to lighten the inside of my lips a little. And then finally, right in the centre of my lips I used the new Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine lipgloss in Fuel to add some extra dimension. Gloss is obviously shiny so allows the light to bounce off it, letting us fake fuller lips.

If you want to see me talk through the process, just click on the video above. Or, you can of course head straight to my YouTube channel here.

Let me know what you think and if you have any fuller lip hacks! 🙂

xxx

*PR SAMPLES USED

April 25, 2018/by Gem

Makeup

Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lipglosses

The Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lipglosses launched into the Urban Decay boutique here in Dublin last week. I was lucky enough, (I feel like I always say that, but I always do feel super lucky). To head in and see them in action, and also take some home to play with.

There is twenty Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lipglosses to choose from in the collection. There’s bright shades, neutrals and four different finishes. They are metallic, holographic, cream and sheer cream. The glosses contain Vitamin E and peppermint oil for a slightly (not stingy), plumping effect. And then the flavour throughout them all is vanilla but with a hint of mint.

I brought home five of the twenty shades and have been playing around with them for the last few days. I never really wore gloss, I always just found it a bit too messy. But brands have really upped their game formula wise and the sticky mess they once were seem to be a thing of the past. Ever since I got my hands on their Fenty Gloss Bomb, I have been rocking a glossy lip more and more regularly. This release, for me has come at a bloody good time. The formula of the Urban Decay Hi-Fi Shine Lipglosses, in my humble opinion are super comfortable and easy to apply. The scent/flavour although strong, isn’t sickening. Also, they don’t burn the bejaysus lips off you!

I have some of the more tame colours, these are just the ones I happened to get, so sorry if they look kind of similar in picture form on the lips, I promise they each look a little different in real life.