GIVEAWAY TIME, BITCHES!! – A x

I'm baaaaack, though not in the same capacity as the baddie from Pretty Little Liars! I've been missing in action for a while off this blog and it's fair to say that I've been in a bit of a rut since I lost my job. I've had no motivation at all.

 
Well, all that is about to change!!! I'm coming at you with a bit of a giveaway. I've been lucky enough to receive a few lovely items at various events and I would like to pay it forward. My reasoning behind this is that Pretty Little Liars, which was both a blessing and a curse, has taken a break until the new season premiers in June. That means less time discussing conspiracy theories with the Irish Blogger babes and more time concentrating on you guys!!!

 
I'm giving away some bits to help you get ready for a summer night out.

 
Cocoa Brown 1hour Tan in Dark,
Sleek i-Quad in Moroccan Myrrh
Sleek Brow Perfector in Dark Brown

 
All you have to do to be in with a chance to win is enter through the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
This giveaway runs until the 1st of May.

Xo,
Amy

Empties

My name is Amy and I never finish products. They usually go off before I can and I wind up throwing them out. Or at least that's my excuse. Occasionally though I do finish one or two things! So here's the recent empties I'm about to sling. 


Cocoa Brown Tough Stuff. 

Can we take a moment to appreciate how I managed to accumulate not one, but two tubes?? I thought I lost my first one and then lo and behold it turned up without so much as by your leave. I've squeezed these two poor tubes to death, trying to draw the last few drops out but they're dead now. 

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub

I admit that this has been beyond its best before for a month or so, but sugar doesn't really go off so I finished it off. It's been a good run, I get a year from each little pot so I can't say it didn't do the job!

Garnier Pure Skin Toner

I adore this stuff and will be repurchasing for definite. The active ingredients in this toner calm down any spots threatening to break the surface and it helps eradicate any which have shown themselves. It smells very strongly but the scent is slightly medical which I like a lot so it's not a problem really. 

Loreal TXT Hairspray

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3in1 Foundation

Hello, holy grail hairspray! Flexible hold, but still in a good degree of control. I love the hold, I love the scent, I loved the price. Yes, very good, on we go!!! 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

Holy grail status again, let me tell you. This is my ultimate foundation. It's pale enough for me, with a pink undertone so it doesn't make me look funny. It lasts all day, it's lightweight but with medium to full coverage and I've had this bottle for over a year.  This is literally my beauty addiction. If I don't have this foundation, I am a very sad little lady. Shout-out to my friend Kayleigh over in the USA for being my supplier! 

Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool

Another seriously well loved product. It takes care of shine, adds a slight hit of coverage, doesn't look caket and lasts for ages. I've already repurchased it, and will continue to because for 3.09, I cannot fault it on any grounds. 

What are your recent empties, my lovelies??

Drop me a line; let me know, and be sure to enter my giveaway HERE where you stand to win a 1 YEar Supply of Water Wipes. 

Amy 

xxx

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Steppin' Out With Fanny Crown Paris - MDI Ball 2014

As you may know, I was the lucky winner of the January Blogger Competition hosted by Fanny Crown, a Parisian dress company. As the Gold Prize winner, I got to have the dress I picked to write about. Now I have been looking forward to Chris's end of year ball since the dress arrived to my door and it's FINALLY here! I am going to detail every single aspect of this because, well, I can and I'm dying to! Let me take you through my preparation for the evening.

I think it's worthwhile saying that I have actually altered my styling of this dress from the original plan which is HERE.

Preparation is Key:

I'm writing this bit five days prior to the ball, because I have a lot of prep to do.


I have scrubbed myself down with Cocoa Browns Tough Stuff, two days on the trot, and have been following that with their Chocolate Whip oil free moisturizer. I will be repeating this until Saturday, at which point, I'll also be tanning my practically glow-in-the-dark pale skin. My favorite tan to use is by.. you guessed it Cocoa Brown. 

I'm going to be using 1 Hour Tan, but leaving it on for 3 to get the deepest effect. 


On Sunday, I'll top it off with Gentle Bronze, just on my face, shoulders, arms and back, and then on the day of the ball I'll be topping up my legs and feet with Lovely Legs. Can you tell I'm loco for Cocoa Brown? It's just the greatest thing ever!


I've also got some prep to do in the nail department, because I'm nothing if not thorough. I have been religiously applying OPI Nail Envy for the last 10 days or so, and trying to avoid any and all polish. It's awful, my hands feel naked! 

I have already decided on my nail color and glitz for the evening, Essence Color & Go Icy Princess, a silver cream polish, topped off with Maybelline Color Show in Glitter It. My tootsies shall be getting the same treatment too, since I'm wearing sandals. I'm pretty sure I may live to regret the sandals though...

Handbag Essentials:

Girls, I know that I'm not alone in trying to stuff as much as is humanly possible into my teeny-tiny little clutch bag on a big night out. We're all guilty here, there's no point in lying to ourselves or each other!

Here's what I like to wedge into my purse on a typical night to the ball. My purse was borrowed off my sister but it was a silver and rhinestone Debut clutch. 

• My Phone. I have an iPhone 4s, so this does the job for taking pictures and making sure I don't lose my chums (It always happens at some stage).
• A Small purse. I tend to carry cash with me exclusively at things like this, because I get paranoid about losing cards etc. The only card coming with me is my (ridiculous) ID. 
• Lipstick, and a Powder compact. Smudges and shine, need I elaborate? 
• I also brought €20 which proved to be more than enough as I wound up only buying one drink. 
• Bobby Pins. These made me two friends in the bathroom later in the night as there was a hair mishap happening as I touched up my lipstick. I got you, fellow ladies! 

The Night Before

Since I'm coming home from a full day of Artisan Kitchens, I will be jumping into the shower as soon as I get in the door! Nobody want's to be the girl who smells like lemon torte (or, maybe you do!). By washing my hair the night before, I'm giving it scope to be lovely and clean, but still hold a curl. My hair holds curls better when it's just a tad bit old... I also finished packing, and painted my nails before bed! 




The Night Of:

The night of the ball was amazing, I took the advice of the wonderful Kayliegh and went for a simple winged liner and nude smokey eye with a pinky-nude lip. Since my hair and makeup was so dramatic I wanted the focus to be on them! My hair was dramatically curled using my Remington Pearl Clipless Wand and Loreal TXT Volumising hairspray. I used my Tangle Teezer to brush out the curls and make them sit together rather than in ringlets. 

My shoes were from New Look Teens Section (as I have tiny feet at a UK3), and they were pretty comfy for the whole night, though I did change into flats towards the end of the night. They featured a low heel and diamante detailing, making them absolutely perfect for my gown! Oh, and they were a bargain, at €9 in the sale!  



I opted for simple red and silver bracelets as arm candy, and small diamante drop earrings from F&F for Tesco. 

On the night, I was no sooner down in the reception sipping on a flute of champagne than a lady (who seemed to me a resident of the hotel) approached me to state the following, "I have been looking at all the other girls dresses and I have to say I think yours is the nicest. It's very unusual and exotic. Where did you get it, do you mind me asking, because I can tell by looking at it it was not Ireland..." I wasted no time in telling her all about Fanny Crown, and she duly informed me that she was going to tell her daughter all about it when she got home! 

I was absolutely made up when she complimented me and told me I looked the best out of all the other girls there. Can somebody say, "She doesn't even go here?!"!! Way to upstage the actual students of Mater Dei, Amy!!! I have to thank Fanny Crown for that, because I wouldn't have been able to have that claim if it weren't for them! 
 


During the evening, there was plenty of pictures, laughter, and then there was dinner! Oh my word, the dinner was DIVINE! Roasted Vegetable soup to start, followed by Baked Salmon on what I can only state was the creamiest mash of my life and steamed veg. There was profiteroles for dessert, but lactose intolerance doesn't bode well so I politely passed. As someone studying food, I can only say good things about the dinner, it was beautifully prepared, and presented.

Then came time for the awards, which I admit is usually a dull affair but this year my amazing man Chris won the Rugby Player of the Year award so it was somewhat brightened up seeing him accept that. I must admit, he is absolutely dedicated to his sport, and it was lovely to see his hard work and passion recognized. He was smiling for the rest of the night. 

My Beautiful Gown... Thanks to Fanny Crown

The rest of the night flew by with dancing and laughing galore. Dancing in my gown was pretty easily taken on and it was so comfy for the whole night, holding me in, holding me *ahem* up, and giving me a killer figure. It was the perfect centerpiece for my whole night and I wouldn't say this is I wasn't 100% more obsessed than I already was, but I would EASILY wear this to the next ball we attend, and the next one after that. It is literally the greatest piece I have ever worn, and I really thought nothing would top my high-low boho gown from Topshop last year, but I was SO wrong. 

Fanny Crown do it right, honey! 

Thank you Fanny Crown for making the ball a night that I wont forget at least until I'm old and grey!  

Some other highlights from the night include being told my gown defied gravity in that it's molded chest stood up by itself, and that it had a slight air of chain-mail (which I took as a compliment)! Even tough chicks need a night of frivolity, right?! 

What do you think of my look for Chris's final Mater Dei Ball? 
Drop me a comment or tweet me @redlips_redhair! 

xoxo
Amy

Quarterly-ish Favorites Jan-March 2014

I'm not the best for posting monthly favorites posts, and I haven't posted a video in months because truth be told, I don't always remember. I don't always have a lot of favorites to tell you about and I think it would be counter productive to tell you about products I've only been using for a short time.

This leaves me with a dilemma, either no favorites at all or do a less frequent favorites showcasing a bunch of things ranging from beauty to fashion and everything in between. In order to keep things ticking over nicely, I am going to try to post a larger "Quarterly-ish Favorites" every 3 months or so. Now I know it's barely into March, but I have a few things I want to talk about.

Without further ado...

In The Category of Make-Up.

I am absolutely obsessed with my Revlon Nearly Naked foundation again. Thanks to my amazing friend Shauna, I've been having quite a few good skin days. In fact, I've been going bare faced on more than one occasion in the last month or so, even on a night out. Crazy!! The Revlon Nearly Naked foundation (in the shade Ivory) is just enough coverage for my skin when I feel I need that extra help. It's not cakey, and with a light dusting of powder (for NN, I opt for Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool), it's matte and stays all day. A clear winner with Spring approaching, ladies!

Speaking of obsession, I don't think I've let a day pass me where I haven't used my 17 Brows That Kit. I feel naked without my eyebrows, and even if I am just wandering around the house I need to have them done, just for the sake of my own happiness. This kit is amazing for anyone who wants the whole kit and caboodle, pencil, brush, wax, eyebrow powder and an under-brow highlight, all tucked into a really sturdy case with a lovely mirror in the lid. I do believe I got it free with a €10 spend on any 17 products, but it's no more than €6 or €7 in any Boots store. I adore it and could not be without it. Honorable mentions to my Real Techniques Brow Brush for making the whole job a breeze! A killer combo, make no mistake!

Finally, I have a brilliant product, multi-use and cheap as chips! Natural Collection single shadows, in Opal. It's a highly pigmented, shimmery pearly white that can be used for a few different areas on this face. Of course, you can use it as a shadow, that much is obvious, but it can be used as a highlighter. Beware though, despite its 2.89 price-tag, this is up there with the Naked Illuminate (without the massive, coarse disco-ball glitter). Use it as a strong under-brow highlight, on the tops of the cheekbones and bridge of the nose for a super sculpted, high-fashion look.




In The Category of Hair:

I need to say this, THE REMINGTON PEARL WAND IS THE GREATEST THING I HAVE EVER BOUGHT!! For my hair, specifically. I have very satiny, hard to curl locks, that usually require half a tin of hairspray to keep any kind of shape. I have to say though, the Pearl Wand has been nothing but the model of a totally miraculous, absolutely undeniably wonderful investment. I have no issues getting a curl to hold, in fact, I am currently writing this with the most wonderful, voluminous second day curls still in place, and only a minimal amount of hair-spray used. Impressed? You should be! Off with you now, and get one!

I couldn't pass an opportunity to give a quick, honourable mention to Batiste Dry Shampoo. This stuff was a love of mine for much of last year, and over Christmas, found itself stuffed into a drawer because I wasn't as pressed for time in the shower in the mornings. I have rekindled my affection for it though and am totally enamored with using it alongside a heat protection spray before I curl my noggin. This stuff makes life so much easier for all you busy chicks out there!


In The Category of Tan: 

I'm sure at this point your sick to death of seeing me wax poetic about the glory that is Cocoa Brown 1 Hour tan, but I am so in love that I just cannot stop harping on about it. And, it's not just the tan, it's the whole range! I cannot get over their Chocolate Whip, it makes me smell like a mini-roll, and I'm totally okay with that, by the way! Tough Stuff is the best thing to hit the Irish market in god knows how long, turning my scaly pins into smooth, soft, lust-worthy legs! 

Combining all three, Tough Stuff, Chocolate Whip and 1 Hour Tan is a recipe for absolutely perfect legs. You cannot go wrong.



In The Category of Lips:

I am convinced at this stage that Revlon use magic to make their lip products because I literally have nothing bad to say about any of their lippies, be they the Matte Balm Stains that I'm infatuated with, the ColorBurst Lip Butters, or their Kissable Balm Stains. They can do absolutely no wrong.

I am also still 100% committed to Catrice Lipsticks, particularly Matt-erial Girl and Holly Rose Wood. They're long-wearing, non-drying and less that €5 a pop! There is no excuse not to love them...

Miscellaneous Favorites:

Maybelline Brow Drama Brow Mascara,
NYC Lipstick - Blue Rose
Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil - Bling Bling
Sleek Make-Up Storm Palette,
Boots Skin Clearing Wipes
Tesco "Free-From" Porridge Oats
My iPod Classic 160gb
Bershka Jeans,
Primark Brogues,
Qwertee T-Shirts,
Paco Rabanne Lady Million Perfume
GiGi Gorgeous, Michelle Phan, Leighann Says and Ophelia Dagger
My Icy Eyewear Ray-Ban Style specs,
Snapchat,
Essence Lipstick - Dare To Wear
Infinity Scarves


What are some of your favourites so far this year?? 
Let me know so I can try them out!!

Amy
xx

Holy Grail Products

Watch any beauty guru on YouTube and you will inevitably hear the phrase "Holy Grail". Yes, it is a Monty Python movie, but today that's not what we're going to talk about. Holy grail products, are, for the uninitiated, the products you would invariably die without. That one shampoo you keep repurchaing? Holy Grail. That lipstick you bought 3 back up tubes of? Holy. Grail.

So today I'm going to take you through my HG products.

First, we have powder. My HG in this department would have to be the Catrice Prime and Fine Translucent Loose Powder. This stuff is the miracle product your mother always told you existed. It's THAT good. I have back ups of this stuff, and I repurchase it to death. It sets your foundation without any extra tint and leaves you velvety smooth and matte. Catrice, please don't ever stop making this stuff, or I'll be all over you like a flannel. 

For €5.49, you too can use my fantastic miracle powder... Just leave some for me, kay?



Secondly, I want to talk about Chocolate Whip. This stuff is the amazing lotion brought to you by the good ladies of Cocoa Brown. I will be waxing lyrical about them further on down this post but can I just take a minute to talk about the absolutely glorious, wonderous gem that is Chocolate Whip? An OIL FREE body moisturiser, which (if you're a tanner) prolongs the life of your tan, helps it fade evenly and smells incredible. Oh my god this stuff was really needed in my life and I wont be straying from it any time soon. Cocoa Brown, will you marry me?

Next up, I'm going to bleat on tirelessly about my new favorite eyebrow powder. Step on up to the plate 17 Brows That!! This powder literally makes my brows look perfect. The compact comes with a brow pencil, a wax, a powder, a highlight and a tiny brush. I will admit the brush is kind of useless but the powder was MADE to go with my Real Techniques Brow Brush. This stuff is pretty new to the market but mother of god, it's perfection in a slick black case.

Cocoa Brown, what can I say, you just make my life complete. 1 Hour Tan hit the market about 1 year ago and I remember it took the blogging world by storm, yet I dismissed it straight off because "it's just tan". It's much more than "just tan" let me tell you. It's "bronze goddess" in a can. 

It's a golden, cocoa shade that makes even the palest (that's me), most ginger (hi, me again!) Irish chick look like she grew up on a beach in Zanzibar. I literally have nothing bad to say about it, or the company (all the girls are fantastic, very chatty on their Twitter, and always there to help). You need this tan in your life. Go now, and never look back!

Finally, I have a product combo for you. I have been blessed with relatively well behaved skin all my life, but to keep it in line, I am hopelessly addicted to Garnier Pure Active Foaming Facial Wash, coupled with my mini Body Shop Facial Brush. It's been keeping my skin soft and clear for 6 months now and I could not be happier with the results. The facial brush is gentle enough not to inspire break outs but tough enough to help the foaming wash take down any spots or blackheads before they peek out to say hi. A must for any girl looking to keep her face free of any nasties.

Those are my Holy Grail products of the moment, a select few of the myriad of bottles, cans and tubes of things I would easily fall apart without. What are your holy grail products? 

Amy 
xx

2013 Round Up

It's now a week into 2014, and I've been mulling over my favorites of the year just gone, so here we go!

Skincare

Garnier Skin Naturals Pure Active Toner and Shine-Control Moisturizer: I picked these up in Tesco at some point this year hoping to help sort out a pretty awful breakout I was having. They did the job quickly and have been a staple in my regime ever since.
Rimmel London Fix&Perfect Pro Primer: At first when I got this, I didn't like it in the slightest and I shoved it in a drawer. I found it again at the end of the spring and I decided to give it a second shot. This primer has done me no wrongs ever since. It's fabulous to smooth out lines and fill in pores and it makes my makeup last all day, no mean feat when I'm normally a grease ball by 3pm.]
Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan: I started tanning during the summer when I decided that the milk bottle, glow-in-the-dark look wasn't cute in a pair of shorts. I picked this up in my local pharmacy and after a spot of trial and error (my tentativeness in all honesty) I was a bronzed goddess and not the least bit Tangoed. A+

Fragrance

Katy Perry Killer Queen: The day I bought this, it was one of those days when I had no money to spare, but needed a pick me up something desperate. I just caved and bought it, and I'm so glad I did. It has a beautiful, fragrance, almost too sophisticated for the likes of a celebrity perfume. I've gotten many compliments on it when I wear it, too. I also have the corresponding lotion which makes me feel like a Killer Queen! Thanks, Katy!
Sure Women Bright 48hr: I wouldn't usually include something as basic as an antiperspirant but I've been very impressed with this since I picked it up. A little goes a long way, it has a lovely light scent and a tin lasts for months. I've been so taken by it, I bought a mini one for my handbag!

Make-Up 

Catrice Prime and Fine Translucent Loose Powder: This is my holy grail powder. It goes with every foundation, whether I'm tanned or pale, and leaves my face looking like velvet. No white cast, no caking, no excuse not to invest in it!
MUA Blusher in Marshmallow: I picked this up in Newry when Chris and I went up there during the summer and I couldn't fault it if I tried. It makes me look healthy and gives me a natural flush. For £1, everyone should have some of these!
Natural Collection Eyeshadow in White Opal: Girls, if you need a good highlight for under your eyebrows, but are operating to a budget, this is for you. I picked this up when I was hard pressed to find a good highlight not just for under my brows, but for the tops of my cheeks too. It did the job very nicely.
Urban Decay Naked Basics: I don't know why I bought this, but it has been a staple in my collection since I did. So much can be done with it, even though there are six shadows in it - five matte and one with a sheen.

Lip Products

Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub: Bough on a whim early last year, this little pot has traveled everywhere with me. I haven't even finished it yet, though there is a decent dent in it and I will have to invest in the Mint Juleps one soon.
Catrice Ultimate Color in 270 Matt-erial Girl: This lipstick is my favorite shade in my whole collection. I adore the bold, bright shade. I cannot say enough good things concerning this particular Catrice offering. I did buy an extra tube in case they discontinue it, though!

Nails:

OPI Nail Envy Original Formula: This stuff has been a complete miracle for my previously weak, brittle nails. It's not cheap, especially for a student but it is SO worth the money. I use it as an undercoat every time I paint my nails and it has not failed yet.
Rimmel London Finishing Touch Ultra Shine Topcoat: I picked this up on a whim towards the end of the year but I have not one bad word to say about it. It prolongs the life of every polish I have by at least a week, which is a big claim I know, but true. Everyone needs a bottle of this in their collection.

 So there you have it, my 2013 Favorites as it were! What were your favorites in 2013? Let me know in the comments...

Amy
xx

November Favorites - Beauty Edition

Hidihi, Campers!!

This months favorites is going to take the form of a blog-post, because at the moment, I'm buried under a steadily growing mountain of college work, and I haven't got time to film, never mind edit a video and upload it. I am, however, sitting at the computer and that means that taking a break from assignments mean I can tap out a blog post in double quick time, and in my pajamas to boot!

First on the line up, I have my EOS Lipbalm in Tropical Fruits. This was sent to me when I did a make-up swap with my lovely friend Kayleigh, from all the way over in Florida. During the month of October, I haven't left my house without this little ball of magic! It smells divine and it makes my lips feel so smooth, especially after using my Lush Bubblegum Lip Scrub.

Next up, another American gift (does it still count as a gift if you asked for it?) from Kayleigh. The Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in the shade 801 Ivory. This is the lightest shade, as far as I am aware. This foundation is everything I look for in a foundation. It's great coverage, pretty spot on with my skin tone, and light as a feather. It's got some shine control but I like to be sure of that ability by using my next make-up favorite.

Rimmel London Fix and Perfect Pro Primer. This stuff lay unloved for the longest time in a drawer, because it made my skin feel strange, but I tried it again a few months back, and I haven't regretted it for one moment since. Used alongside my Covergirl foundation, my foundation doesn't crease, slip or wear away in trouble spots. A+

My Maybelline Brow Drama in Medium is my new favorite thing. For a few uses I took um-bridge with the feeling of my brows setting, but now I love it, because it sets my brows tidily but still allows me to raise an eyebrow at people who annoy me!! :D

Cocoa Brown 1 Hour Tan. This may be my last favorite of the month, but it's definitely not least. I had some trouble with this at first, as my skin didn't seem to react to the DHA after an hour (I was timid). The Cocoa Brown team on Twitter were quick to lend a hand and we figured out that I needed one layer left on for the full time of 3 hours to get a noticeable golden glow. If you are pale like myself, don't worry about leaving it on for the 3 hours maximum time, you wont come out Tangoed, I promise you. I am as pale as the driven snow, and yet, after using Cocoa Brown Tan, I had a natural golden glow.

Those are my beauty favorites for the month of October. What do you think? Is there anything I should try in the month of November?? Let me know! 

Keep an eye out for my Random Favorites!!