'Tis (nearly) the Season...

You know those immensely tacky chunky glitter heels everyone has been guiltily lusting after for the Christmas period? This make up look reminds me of them. So bad, but so so good. Glitter on the face is usually not a good combination (glitter pens from your childhood, anyone?) but strangely I found myself deeply attracted to those decidedly tacky shoes. I know, I would never wear them if I did fork out the cash to have them in my possession. But still. So €15 for the Inglot Body Sparkles in no. 59 was my version of a compromise. 

I'm  trying my best to avoid early Christmas cheer this year - which will no doubt result in burn out. Christmas is my favourite time of year, but I get very narky when people ruin it by starting it all too early. Scrooge I shall be for the next two days, dammit. However, I believe I have already failed with the uploading of this post. Not only am I wearing the ultimate Christmas cardi (Penneys, don't you know) but the make up is quite obviously perfect for the 'party season'. And tack aside, I will be wearing it this year. Roll on December 1st.

(PS: I'm not even going out tonight. College work has made sure of it, but I decided to delay work by applying a tonne of make up to my face. Procrastination is key. I am currently sitting in my pjs with my full face of makeup on reading about gender roles on the stage. Delish.)

Chanel Pro Lumiere in Clair (20)

MAC Harmony and Springsheen blush

Laura Mercier Brown Definer in Fair

Inglot e/s in 373 (white), 339 (matte grey), 348 (dark grey)

Inglot Body Sparkles no. 59

Maybelline Gel Liner

Benefit They're Real Mascara

Ja'Mall Buster Just Lashes in "Bold and Beautiful"

MAC Hue Lipstick

♥

Currently reading: Milkbubbletea

For The Benefit Of All..

94% saw dramatic length & volume. 90% saw base-to-tip curl. 94% saw visible lift. 100% saw long-wearing results. Big claims, eh?

Benefit They're Real has been doing the beauty blogging rounds for quite a while. And first off, I bought it myself, I wasn't sent it. I'm not one to give into the hype of most products, because let's face it so many people big up products when they get them free whether intentionally or not.

I'm not a big mascara person, I always forget to put it on after doing my eye makeup and when I do, obviously my blonde lashes are turned black, but as for added length, volume and width? Meh. Its all the same, right? What I'm saying is that I don't place too much emphasis on mascaras, usually buying highstreet brands because they are cheap and do the job nicely.

So to walk into Benefit and fork out €24.50 on a mascara, when I have so many in my collection was a bit crazy. Now that price for a mascara is a bit ridiculous, especially since the dollar equivalent is $22. Lies, little Rip-Off Republic. But I went with it. And I'm so glad I did. The second I put it on, I was stopped by two girls to ask if I had fake lashes on. Nope. So far, so good. Throughout the rest of the day I got the same thing.

Left: Benefit They're Real Right: Nada

So does it work? Yes, yes it does. The formula, together with the patented brush is able to wiggle between each lash, coating it with product that claims to 'lengthen, curl, volumise, lifts and separate'. No small claim, eh? And usually I'd scoff at such over-the-top advertising. But this time Benefit may just be telling the truth. Since making it my everyday mascara, my friends, family and hell, even randomers have asked whether I'm wearing falsies. They're real, ladies, they are fecking real. And I bloody love them.

So would I buy this again? Yes, most probably. It is expensive and the packaging is a bit tack; but it works. Never have my lashes felt so adored. It is a bit of a nuisance to get off though, so eye makeup remover is a must. But hey, at least that means it stays on, right?

Lasting Impressions

One of the most annoying things after spending precious time perfecting the make up you apply on your face, is when after less than a few hours it has faded to something less than perfect and you end up looking a bit 'bleurgh'. And, as much as we argue; none of us want to spend ages topping up make up. We love it, but not that much. I was going to have this as one large post, but I think I'll have it in a few stages, a series if you will, so will be doing lips and eyes next if people are interested.

Face

Step 1: One of the most important things to do before whacking on a foundation is applying a base, namely a primer. While these are branded by many different companies, with varying prices, they really help to create a base for make up to cling to, meaning your face looks fresher for longer. Make sure you get one suitable for our skintype, if you have dry skin opt for a luminating or hydrating one to keep dry patches at bay, whereas if you have oily skin choose a matifying one, which will keep your skin oil-free while holding your make up in place. Top picks include Laura Mercier Foundation Primer, Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer with SPF 15 and Gosh Velvet Touch Primer.

Step 2: The next thing that will help your make up last longer is to choose the correct foundation for your skintype, because let's face it, if you whack on a foundation for oily skin on your very dry complexion; you will look ridiculous. And it won't last. Instead, go to your counter of choice - depending on your budget, and allow them to chose a foundation suitable for your skin. Some of the best long-lasting foundations include MUFE Mat Velvet, YSL Teint Resist, Estee Lauder Double Wear and Benefit Playsticks.

Step 3: For concealers, its best to steer clear of overly creamy formulas. unless you have very dry skin, as they will crease. Opt for a stick concealer or liquid. Top picks include Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection Concealer and MAC Longwear Concealer.

Step 4: If you want your blush to last longer, apply a small amount of cream blush to the cheeks after foundation. Then sweep a powder blush on top, which will help to 'set' the cream product, making the product last longer. This is the same for highlighters, something liquid like Benefit's High Beam will last through the day, using sparingly though!

Step 5: The final, and almost most important step, is to apply powder over your finished make up. While translucent is preferable as its small particles set it brilliantly, pressed powder works too. Using a flat brush (not a large, round powder one, as this will sweep your make up off), 'press' the product onto the face, which will matify the skin and will present any foundation from smearing off throughout the day. If you have oily skin, you may want to carry around a small pressed powder to top up during the day.

Eating Your Words: MAC SFF Review

Many a time I have ranted about how vile I find the MAC foundations. Then I relented slightly when I found Face and Body. That was different, it wasn't really a foundation. Kay? When I recently went into MAC to buy foundations for my kit, I was set on Full Coverage. But the lovely MAC MUA completely advised against it and instead recommended I opt for Studio Fix Fluid as it creates flawless skin with enough coverage and can look dewy too.

Now, I have had this foundation before. And hated it. Maybe it was because it was throughout the Summer months where being caked was unnecessary, maybe because I got matched to the complete wrong colour and didn't have the knowledge to recognise it (NW20, howiya?!). But this time I trusted her advice, because sometimes you get a make up artist who tells you the truth. And she was right. 

I really am not one for the full coverage look - I left that behind in my teens. I like dewy, fresh looking skin; but in the Winter months Face and Body just doesn't cut it. A Noddy nose and cheeks is somewhat unattractive so a heavier coverage is essential. After I bought four bottles for my kit (still have a few more to buy, depressing), I decided to have a go of my 'real' colour (NC15, for those wondering). Just because. I applied with a stippling brush, as it provides enough coverage without looking too full-on.

And now, I eat my words. Who knows how long I will like this foundation. Who knows how long it will keep me happy. But it lasts all day, isn't too matte, and most importantly removes any traces of my sensitive (read: red) Irish skin. Sorry MAC, probably should have given you more of a chance!

(Now, I won't lie to you, having dry skin means this foundation does show up a few dry patches up close. But not enough to notice when in public, and anyone who is that close hopefully love me enough to still think I look alright. Hopefully ;) 

Vaseline Essentials

My Sister once bought me a Victoria Beckham body lotion. I have no idea why, really. I hate Victoria Beckham, and the scent was more than atrocious. Soz Kait. And it probably cost her a lot more than buying a 'highstreet' brand. I guess beauty products are something you want to spend money on, but body lotion? Stick to the highstreet.

I thought Vaseline Essentials would mean their lipblam, but what do you know? They've branched out into body lotion. This probably isn't a new phenomenon, and they've probably had them out for a while now. But I'm a bit slow with these things and never noticed. I wish I had now.

While getting an expensive body lotion to go with your perfume is fine and dandy, I always think they are just too expensive to justify. And er, don't work. I could go on about the Stratys 3 sciency bit, that claims to work in three stages of deep-moisturation to adapt to all skin types, but what's the point? The main thing we need to establish is if they work.

And they do. There are three body lotions in this range: Aloe Fresh (light feeling lotion), Essential Moisture (clean feeling lotion) and Cocoa Radiant (rich feeling radiant). Now while I haven't a clue what 'clean feeling lotion' means, all of the lotions in this range do exactly what they say on the tin. Aloe Fresh is the lightest lotion of the trio, that smells like cucumber and would be perfect in the Summer after being in the sun for ages. Cocoa Radiant is the richest of the three, and is a much thicker consistency than Aloe Fresh. It smells like chocolate and coconut and, again, keeps skin moisturised. This is more of a Winter lotion because of its consistency and if you're a chocolate lover is perfect. Essential Moisture is my favourite of the three, is in between the light and rich consistency and smells like mango. Need I say more? 

So take my advice, head for the beauty aisle in your local supermarket and snap one of these three up. Cheap, cheerful and does the exact same job as its expensive counterparts. 

StreetWalker

Maybe the title was a tad drastic. This probably isn't a look for everyday, but if you're one who doesn't differentiate between day and nighttime make up; you're in luck. 

Some would probably consider this a little full on; and although it doesn't look like it in photos my lips are lilac. Lilac. Not pink. And I absolutely love it. MAC's I Like it Like That is possibly one of the best inventions ever; pink enough that its okay for during the day but slap on a load of fake tan, conjure up a dark smokey eye and its perfect for nights out too. I'm almost positive it was one from a collection, and therefore probably difficult to get now. But if you can, snap it up instantly.

Would you wear something like this during the day?

♥

MAC Face and Body/ Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Foundation

MAC Harmony and Well Dressed Blush

Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow as highlight

MAC Satin Taupe, Bronze and Smut in crease

Maybelline Black Gel Liner

NYX Long Lasting Mascara

MAC I Like it Like That Lipstick

Listening to: LDR. If you don't already know Lana Del Rey, have a look-see. I am obsessed with her. And her face is unbelievably amazing. Am very seriously considering lip injections. Joke. Sort of.

Depotting Your Lipsticks

I'm beginning to think I have made a massive mistake. For the past few months, I have had the urge to depot  all my MAC lipsticks in favour of having them in an easy-access palette. The thought of having to carry around masses of lipsticks and try to make them look neat in my kit baffles me and it saves time and space to whack them in a palette ready for whoevers face I approach next.

The only problem is that it doesn't look great, does it?

Mushy Mess.

After spending €17.50 on a beautiful MAC lipstick the last thing you want to be doing it cutting it up. Its a bit devastating really. But what is even more so would be leaving the lipstick tube somewhere by accident, or over-cramming my bag so that one fell out. Its just more practical to have them all together. And so this is my solution. 

It takes very little time, and if like me, you're an organisation freak; its actually quite enjoyable. Blast some music and hack your precious lipsticks into little pieces. 

You will need:

1. An unused palette (I got mine from Muji for under a fiver)

2. A knife

3. Your lipsticks. Obv.

Step 1: As much as it pains you do so, take a knife and cut across the bottom of the lipstick (photos two and three)

Step 2: Then take the knife and push it down into the cylinder of the lipstick to make sure all the product is removed (photo 3)

Step 3: Use your knife to chop up the lipstick so that it becomes smooth and almost a lip-balm consistency.

Step 4: Peel the lipstick name from the bottom of your lipstick and stick it onto the bottom side of the palette.

And you're finished. You may want to sob for a while that all your precious lipsticks are hacked to pieces, but at least you can Back to MAC the empty containers, meaning more colours for your palette. 

Delish.