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Non Beauty Favourites

I did my beauty favourites for 2017 in video form here not too long ago, if you fancy a beauty hit. There was non beauty related bits and bobs that I wanted to give a shout out to though aswell. So here I am writing a blogpost all about them 🙂

I actually scrolled through my Instagram feed for inspiration for this. I adore the beauty world, but I do have other interests too. I’m not always comfortable talking fashion for all to see. I’m not particularly comfortable within myself. But I love fashion too. Now I don’t mean keeping up with all trends or buying all the latest designer releases, (maybe one day). I mean just putting outfits together, making myself feel a bit better when I look in the mirror. My lovely friend Lorraine of the awesome blog (John It’s Only Makeup) gave me a bit of a boost and told me I should start doing ootd’s (Outfit Of The Day’s) on Instagram. I’ve done a few over the past couple of months.

These boots are definitely on my non beauty favourite list. Now I will say these are not the best quality over the knee boot out there and won’t last the test of time. But, they fit over my larger calves, have a bit of a heel, are comfortable to walk and stand in and they were a bloody bargain!

I actually picked them up my mistake. Sinéad from The Beautiful Truth was chatting about a similar pair she got from New Look, so I went on to have a look and thought these were them. They aren’t, but they were on sale for €29.99 here, originally €59.99. From a quality point of view, they aren’t worth the original price. But on sale, they are!

Another shoe favourite is from a different spectrum. I picked these up simply because they are sparkly.

I got a lot questions about these on social media. They’re from Penneys and they were €7 just before Christmas. I’ve literally worn them everyday since I picked them up and they’re lasting well. They have a rubber sole too which is handy if you need to pop out the bins or something like that. Looking at them makes me smile 🙂

Next up is another Penneys buy. I only picked this sweatshirt up for €10 a few weeks ago, so it’s probably still there.

I’ve been just using it for loungewear ( I have it on as I type). It’s so comfy, washes really well and sure it makes you a fully fledged unicorn trainer.

I have been a bit obsessed with buying costume jewellery on eBay. Specifically earrings.

They take an age to come and there is definitely hits and misses. But when something comes that you actually like and it only cost a couple of euro, you feel pretty damn smug. I always use PayPal and order from reputable sellers. I also never spend a alot.

Another jewellery fave has been this Casio watch John kindly bought me for Christmas.

I did choose it myself from Asos. I like a more masculine watch.

I also thought the rusty rose gold colouring was a little different to what I’ve had before, so I was just drawn to it. A watch to me is more an accessory than a necessity. And I think this fits my style quite nicely.

My last favourite is wine. Now if you know me, you’ll know this is a very new scenario.

For a long time, I was a vodka and diet 7up kinda gal. It’s all I drank. Since John has gotten really into the Irish craft beer scene though, I’ve become a little bit more adventurous. I’ve realised I actually like the taste of gin. It has become my tipple of choice. I’ve also acquired a taste for Prosecco. And now I am dipping my toe into wine. Just a little bit and only white or Rosé. My palette isn’t distinguished enough for red. But I find myself trying to do a little research and think more about it and I’m quite enjoying it.

And that’s it! There’s some of my non beauty related favourites of the minute. Let me know what you think.

Gemma

xxx

January 15, 2018/4 Comments/by Gem

September Favourites 2017

Yep, we can all panic. It’s September favourites time. How did that even happen?

I am in disbelief that it’s October! The C word is just creeping up on us…..fast!

My September favourites are much like any other month. They are a mixed bag of things that I feel I have been reaching for alot over the past four weeks. This month definitely had a bit of a skincare theme. It’s probably the change in the seasons that has me more conscious, unconsciously 🙂

Of course there is some makeup in there too, that can’t not happen. Makeup stages are my thing. I will wear something religiously for weeks and then completely forget about it. Yes, I am fickle. It doesn’t mean I don’t still love something. It just means my obsession changes focus because I have a short attention span 🙂

My September favourites include:

The Bioderma Micellar Water limited edition pump bottle €16 from Cloud10beauty here.
A couple of products from Shiseido’s new Waso range . I can only find the full range online from Harvey Nichols here. It is a more affordable range from the brand. You can see the synopsis and ingredients of all the products on the Shiseido website here.
Pure Potions Skin Salvation Bath And Body Oil. This range is available in store from Holland and Barrett. I found the oil directly on the brands website here too.
Mac Syrup Lipstick. I did a post on this a little while ago here.
Stila Magnificent Metal in Rose Gold Retro. I used this in my go to rose gold makeup look here.
The Elf Shimmer Highlighting Powder. You can see this swatched here.
And the finally my gold mini Casio watch. John bought me this years ago from Asos. They don’t have it anymore. I found it for the cheapest price in Ireland here from Argos if you want to check it out.

And that’s September summed in product from 🙂 Hope you had a lovely month. You can watch the video where I waffle about the products by clicking above, or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.

Thanks, as always.

Gemma xxx

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*

October 6, 2017/by Gem

Makeup, Monthly Favourites, Youtube Video

January Favourites

Yep it’s happening, it’s January Favourites time!

I am panicking a bit, not going to lie. We are properly into the second month of 2017, eeeekk! But in blog/vlog world that gives us an excuse to recap and look over the month and pick out some of our most used bits and bobs. I do this in video form now, but I do like to still do a blog post too.

My January Favourites for 2017 consist of a couple of fashion bits, a skincare item and of course my one true love, some makeup as well.

I have a bit of disclaimer, I filmed this feeling a little bit under the weather. I have the cold that so many people have at the minute that just won’t go away. So it’s a bit of rambley video, hope that’s OK ha. I am a bit zonked on cold medication 🙂

The products mentioned are:

A Zara bag pack, that is gone from the website now, I apologise if you liked the look of it.
Coverse Hi Top runners. You can get these in so many places, but I’ll put a link to them on the Schuh website here if you want a closer look.
Asos watch: I can’t find a to the exact one, but they have lots of similar (and actually some nicer ones) here.
Cailyn Dissolv’It Makeup Melt Cleansing Balm. I got given this at an event, but it retails for €25 from their website here.
Isa Dora Matt Fixing Powder. I got this as a press sample. But, I found it on the Feel Unique website here for €17.86.
Zoeva Blanc Fusion Palette. I have a review and info on all of the palettes within the Plaisir Box here.
Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liners. You can pick these up in Boots in store or online here. They are €5.49
And then finally Mac Extended Play Mascara. I have a whole blog post about this here.

And that is all of my January Favourites. You can watch the video by clicking on it above or going to my YouTube channel here. Have you any stand out products from the month?

xxx

February 8, 2017/by Gem

Bargain Buying, Makeup

Catrice All Round Contouring Palette

I think it’s safe to say I’m on a bit of a contour binge at the minute 🙂 My last review was a round up of some of my favourite budget friendly powder contour palettes, which you can catch here if you missed it. This post is going to be all about the new Catrice All Round Contouring Palette.

If you know Catrice they already have a concealer/correcting palette in the same vein as this. I never felt the need to pick that one up, the contour palette on the other hand, had to be mine. I went everywhere looking for this and was sold out everywhere. I finally stumbled across it in a local pharmacy a little while ago. It seems the Catrice All Over Contour Palette is in high demand. And at €4.50 for a cream contour and highlighting palette, I guess I can see why 🙂

The Palette comes with 5 cream shades.

There’s a matte ashy brown contouring shade, a warmer contouring shade (that I use for bronzing and it works great). There’s a peachy and a more yellow undertone matte concealer/highlighting colour. And then finally at the far right of the Catrice All Round Contour Palette there’s a light cream shimmering shade.

Here they are swatched on my arm from left to right.

And a more up close look at the swatches.

Honestly, I am so impressed with the Catrice All Round Contouring Palette. More affordable brands really seem to struggle with the cream contour and highlighting medium. Catrice, for me have hit it out of the park. The pigment is strong, the texture is light and creamy without being oily and all of the shades blend really well into the skin. After blending, you are left with no excess residue or shininess. I’ve worn all the shades numerous times and didn’t get any creasing or oxidising. I do have oily skin though and always set creams with powders.

The lighter matte shades can even be used for concealing, I think, as they are so pigmented. I love using the shimmery highlighter colour as a base for powder highlight, but if you have normal to dry skin, it is a beautiful highlight on its own along the cheekbones and in the inner corners of the eyes, even on the brow bone. I love that you get a warm and a cool contour shade aswell because then you have the choice of both depending on your skin tone.

I have nothing really negative to say about the Catrice All Round Contouring Palette. It’s so affordable and all the shades do exactly what you want them to do.

If I was being really picky I would make one of the lighter matte shades in the palette a little lighter, so paler skin tones (like myself) would benefit more from their highlighting effect. Maybe if this palette is a success, Catrice might bring out a lighter and a darker version…just a thought 🙂

Have you tried it yet?

I’d love to know what you think.

xxx

February 28, 2016/3 Comments/by Gem

Monthly Favourites

Gem’s January Faves 2015

January has been and gone, we are officially into 2015, where is the time going? The end of a month means monthly favourites in my world, and so I am here to divulge some of the things I have been loving and using throughout the month of January 2015.

I firstly have something I have already prattled on about here so I’ll keep it short.

You can read the full review if you want my full opinions on Rimmel’s Lasting Finish Nude Foundation, and to see it on the skin. This has been the only foundation I have pretty much used in the month of January though. It is cheap,has good medium coverage, long lasting…and I like it! That pretty much sums it up 🙂

Up next I have one of my Christmas presents.

My Accurist rose gold and black leather watch. I have been wearing this nearly every day since I got it. I think it’s very classic but understated and seems to go with everything. It’s also light and comfortable. It is actually a man’s watch, but I like bigger watches so this appeals to me. I want one of these in every colour 🙂

I am a big believer in washing your face thoroughly before bed with a cleanser or a face wash whatever you use. I wear waterproof mascara and liner alot and these can be a pain and a bit messy to take off with a cloth or you hands so I like to use an oil based makeup remover just on my eyes to make washing my face then a little easier.

This Botanics Soothing Eye Makeup Remover was on sale in Boots. I think it was less than €3, so picked it up to try. It does a really great job. I don’t even look when I am doing it. I just soak two cotton pads in it and gently rub my eyes with. It does the job really great. It’s also meant to condition your lashes which is a plus. If you are looking for an affordable paraben free range, give the Botanics in Boots a look. I really like the face wash from this range too, I really recommend them.

I think I mentioned this in a favourites post gone by, but I am throwing it again because I have not been able to get enough of it this month.

This is the Yonka Invigorating Dry Skin Toner, which is an aerosol toner. Do you like the Caudalie Beauty Elixir? Well then you’ll love this. It smells sooooo nice and earthy and it is really calming and hydrating on the skin. It contains lovely things like Lavender and Thyme (hence the smell) .It’s pricey but I need to buy a full sized bottle of it!

I have a couple of duo items up next.

The first is the Soap & Glory Whipped Clean Shower Butter and then these funny little exfoliating mittens that I randomly picked up in good oul Penney’s. These two together for me are a match made in heaven. The wash is really emollient and moisturising on the skin and feels really luxurious. I’ve found using this with the exfoliating mittens really nice, as although I am getting rid of any dead skin cells with the abrasive gloves, the wash keeps the skin feeling nourished and looked after. The Whipped Cream smells of almonds which I am not a fan of, but I suck it up 🙂

My next duo are for the lips.

This is Rimmel’s lip liner in Eastend Snob and on of the Charlotte Tilbury Lipstick Charms in Bitch Perfect. How pretty and tiny are these lipsticks? We both got the little trio of lippies for Christmas. Mine is mashed a bit, sorry. I did that after a few alcoholic beverages and didn’t twist the bullet back down properly.

I am not really a nude lip person very often. But just something about this duo made me feel comfortable. Perhaps because it’s more of a pinky nude, so I don’t feel completely washed out. I’m pale enough as it is 🙂 Eastend Snob is a great liner to have if you are looking to slightly over draw your lips or you just want to even out your lip line.

My last favourite for this month is the Fuchsia Pro Collection Palette.

I have been reaching for this so much of late. It’s great that an Irish brand are doing these pans that you can put into a zpalette and customise the colours to suit yourself. I had never really used the Fuchsia brand until we were kindly gifted these at a blogger Christmas Party. This one was prefilled, I did not choose the colours, but the colours in it are lovely. There is something for everything and everyone from cool tones to warm, neutrals to brights and shimmery to matte. The colour pay off is really nice and they blend well too. They also come in an array of colours and finishes. I will be investing in more for sure.

There you have it. January summed up in beauty products. That’s what we are here for, right?

Thanks for reading my ramble.

Gemma

xxx

February 4, 2015/by Gem

Posts

I have been a bit obsessed with buying costume jewellery on eBay. Specifically earrings.

Another jewellery fave has been this Casio watch John kindly bought me for Christmas.

My last favourite is wine. Now if you know me, you’ll know this is a very new scenario.

And that’s it! There’s some of my non beauty related favourites of the minute. Let me know what you think.

Gemma

xxx

Yep, we can all panic. It’s September favourites time. How did that even happen?

My September favourites include:

And that’s September summed in product from 🙂 Hope you had a lovely month. You can watch the video where I waffle about the products by clicking above, or click here to watch it directly on YouTube.

************PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*************

Yep it’s happening, it’s January Favourites time!

I think it’s safe to say I’m on a bit of a contour binge at the minute 🙂 My last review was a round up of some of my favourite budget friendly powder contour palettes, which you can catch here if you missed it. This post is going to be all about the new Catrice All Round Contouring Palette.

PR SAMPLES INCLUDED*