Looking Chic While Travelling

Planning what to wear for travelling can be tricky, because you want to be comfy, but you will probably want to be stylish so you can feel like a jet-set A-list starlet.

Ideally speaking you want to wear something easy to move in, that will keep you warm but with layers you can take off if you're too warm. I'm pretty sure I have this one all sewn up, so lets get into it! I've created a Polyvore set of the kind of outfit I intend to wear on the plane. 

I'm going to wear some stretchy, high waisted skinny jeans from Penney's, a white basic v-neck from H&M, a silver statement draped chain, my leather jacket that was a Christmas gift from my mum, sunflower Converse from Schuh, and a draped black and white scarf to complete the look, and keep warm if the flight is chilly. 

I have a black hoody to layer under the jacket too, but it wont be seen, so I didn't include it.  

I wont be doing much in the way of makeup before the flight, because we have to be up really early, like, 3am. I'll be bringing my makeup bag onto the plane and doing it in flight so I can look nice when we land! I love my red lipstick, so I'll be sure to add a pop of color with that! 

I'll be back in a few days with some travel posts recapping the trip, and my regular posting schedule will be back in full swing from next Monday, the 7th of March. 

Amy

x

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Carry On Essentials

Another travel related post, kind of!

In two days I will be flying away to Amsterdam, and I've already covered my packing regime in THIS post. Today though, I'm going to cover what I carry on me, in a small backpack, as opposed to my suitcase.

Important Stuff First!

You're going to obviously need your passport, boarding passes, wallet and phone. These are so important. I try to  keep all of these together, and to do that, I'm a huge fan of my pink plastic pouch. You can pick them up in Easons for around €3. I picked up my pouch a while back. In this pouch I've managed to fit my Lonely Planet: Amsterdam travel guide, my passport, a pen and boarding passes. Sometimes I bring a little notebook too.

Essential Items!

In another little baggie, maybe a makeup pouch, I bring a lip balm, a foldable hair brush, bobbins, kirby grips, painkillers, migraine tablets and my rockstar eye mask. If you're prone to getting cold, you could bring some fuzzy socks.

Entertaining Yourself!

I like to bring my tech stuff in another pouch, so my iPod Classic, my (borrowed from my sister) camera, headphone splitter, charger cables, my external hard drive and earbuds. The reason I bring a headphone splitter and a HDD is because I am going to bring my tablet, and then if on the flight myself and himself want to watch a film, we can and we wont annoy anyone!

Maybe you might like to bring a book, or a magazine, a deck of cards or something else to entertain yourself on the plane.

Snacky Yum Yums!

Airports are notoriously expensive, and I'm not about to shell out 3 euro for a Twix. The only thing I really feel you have to buy in the airport is a drink. Take your snacks from home! Last time we few, I picked up a sandwich, and Dex made a sandwich. I feel like he got the better deal, to be honest. This time around I'll be taking some dried apricots, cranberry macadamia mix, dried mango and hopefully some wasabi peanuts from the Oriental Market in Dublin. You might like to bring Quest bars, maybe some homemade pasta, whatever snacks you like best...

Emergency Provisions

Igmore this if you're taking a case in the overhead luggage compartment, because there's no way that the airline can lose your bag. But, if you're heading off and you're checking a bag, please think about bringing some emergency bits and pieces. Get a small to medium sized makeup bag, pop in some underwear, a clean top, a pair of clean socks, your toothbrush and toothpaste and any other small bits you might need. Of course, if like me you're travelling with a cabin sized case, you wont have to worry about this.

So there's some things to consider, for your carry on bag at the airport. You don't need to bring a whole lot, and the Ryanair dimensions for the second item of luggage you're allowed in the cabin are pretty roomy. You shouldn't have any issue bringing everything you might need for the flight. 

Amy

x

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Perfect Packing!

As many of you may know, I'm off to Amsterdam on the 2nd of March with my gorgeous boyfriend Dexter, to celebrate my birthday. We're going for 3 nights, four days total. We fly out at 7am on Wednesday the 2nd and arrive home on Saturday the 5th around 10pm or so. So we're going to get the maximum experience we can, time wise! Because we wanted to allocate the majority of the budget for the Dam to fun touristy things like the Katten Cafe (That's the Cat Cafe, for all you feline lovers out there!), tour the Red Light District, and a whole bunch of other things, we're only bringing hand luggage. I'm bringing a cabin size case, and a small backpack, and he's just bringing his trusty JanSport backpack.

Today I'm going to run through some packing tips, to make the most of your tiny luggage.

First up are the things to remember, your baggage dimensions and the weight restriction. As I'm writing this, I've managed to get myself a nice new cabin size case in Penneys for €24 euro! Not bad, eh? Now, this bag is definitely cabin size as the overly prepared part of me whipped out her phone to google the dimensions of Ryanair luggage and checked it against the case in the shop... Ryanair will only let you have ONE bigger bag, measuring 55 x 40 x 20 cm, which cant weigh more than 10kg. You can also bring one smaller bag around 35 x 20 x 20 cm. So this means you can have a case like mine, and a backpack or a handbag too. To be very fair to Ryanair, that's a decent amount of luggage if you do it right. 

Photo: Pinterest / www.coralsandcognacs.com

Now. Packing. The part everybody hates. Funnily enough I enjoy packing, I get very particular and make lists of things for every aspect. Clothes, makeup, toiletries, everything gets a list.

Clothes

You're going to have to cover yourself. Google the weather, my dear. See what you're working with where you're going. If you're going to the somewhere with inclement weather, you'll need different items depending on the season. Spring in Amsterdam is going to be cool enough, possibly showery. Basically, a lot like Ireland. Plan accordingly.

Also, if you can, and if you want to, pick a color palette to work off. Black, white and grey is what I've opted for. This makes it easier when it comes to options, in that you have less chance of over packing with crap you wont wear. I'm bringing the following items of clothing in my case:

1. Blue Boyfriend Jeans 
2. Black Skinny Jeans 
3. Black Basic Skirt
4. Black/Grey Stripy Top 
5. Black/White Stripy Crop Top 
6. Beatles Tee
7. TWLOHA Tee

I'm also packing a small, flat, comfy pair of black and white Toms, one pair of plain black tights, pajamas, underwear and socks. The idea here is to pack with enough options that you can create different outfits, but pack lightly at the same time. By sticking to a palette, you're eliminating some of the chance that you might overpack. 

Toiletries and Liquids

When it comes to packing, everyone and their mother knows that you can only bring 100ml of liquid through security. Get yourself into Penneys (€1 - €1.50) or Dealz (€1.49) and pick up a travel bottle pack. I've had a few of these in my time, and it would be dishonest if I said they were super great quality. The bottles are great, but the baggies aren't. Decant the products you need into the various bottles and pots, label them and you're good! Remember you have to put your foundation and contact lens solution into the baggie too. If the baggie splits or anything, you can get them for around €1 in the airport, so that's handy! Sometimes the security men are nice when they check your bags and they will give you one from their private stash. 

I'll be taking the following with me, decanted into little bottles and pots.

• Soap and Glory Peaches and Clean Cleanser
• Nivea Daily Essentials Micellar Water
• Garnier Fructis 2 in 1 Shampoo 
• Nivea Q10 Day Cream (small pot)
• Opti Free Pure Moist Lens Solution
• Cien Sunshine Shower Gel
• Good Thinks Manuka Face Mask (small pot)

Make-Up Bag 

My make-up bag for travelling is basic as basic can be. I try to save space and time by opting for palettes, miniature and multi use products where I can. I also bring cheaper products, in case anything happens to my high end stuff. I'm going to be taking the very minimum. You can see in detail what I take HERE but I'll give you the run down anyway!

• Rimmel Foundation
• Mini Benefit Porefessional Primer
• Isa Dora Face Sculptor Palette 
• Natural Collection Pressed Powder 
• Naked Basics Eye Palette 
• Catrice Mascara
• Rimmel Liquid Liner 
• A Selection of Lip Products.
• Basic/Mini Brushes.

Maximising Space in Your Case

Hands up those of you who just fold and stuff everything you can into your case. I used to be a culprit with this. However, I've seen the light, and I know how to pack my case properly now. What I do is I roll my jeans up. I fold my tops kind of strangely though. What I do is I pair up my socks and knickers, fold my t shirt half way, and then fold them both into each other. I do this with all my tops, socks and pants, to save space. It's also handy because it means you don't have to dig around for your stuff in the hotel when you want to go sight seeing, because it's all organised. When you grab your top, you've grabbed everything you need! 

So there you have it, a long, rambly post about what I pack in my carry-on case. I'm so excited for my trip away with my gorgeous man!

I hope this was even vaguely helpful, if you have any tips you'd like to share with me, please do! 

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Get Ready With Me: Pale Berry

Hey everyone,

I'm back with another run through of my FOTD, if you missed my last one, you can find it HERE.

As always, I started with a base of primer, this time it was the Flormar Illuminating Primer, which I am trying to give a second chance at the moment. Then I applied my Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation all over my face and applied Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in a triangle shape under my eyes. I buffed it all in with my Blank Canvas Cosmetics F20 brush. To set it I lightly dusted Essence Pure Skin Powder all over my t-zone. No contouring was done today, instead I just lightly blushed my cheeks with Pinkerbell by Catrice.

For my eyes, I relied on my Naked Basics palette, and ran Foxy all over my lid as a base shade, and then took Naked 2 through the crease blending for a soft seamless finish. To deepen the look I very lightly took Faint through the socket and out to the outer V. using a clean fluffy brush, I blended like a woman possessed until it looked the way I wanted. To compliment this look, I used Glam Golden from NYX on my lashline, extending it to a nice wing shape. Then I took Faint on a small brush and blended it under my lower lash line with a light hand. To finish the look I applied a generous coat of Roller Lash by Benefit, and defined my brows with Faint on a small angled brush.

To complete the look, and to draw some attention to this otherwise neutral look, I applied a thin layer of Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner to my lips, gave it a minute to soak in, and then defined my lips with Catrice Precision Lip Liner in Very Berry, before I filled them in. To deepen the colour, I applied NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen.

What do you think of my Pale Berry look?

Amy
xo

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REVIEW Threads Lashes*

Not long ago I was contacted by the lovely people over at Threads, a false eyelash company based over in the UK. They create beautiful lashes ranging from the natural to dramatic and everything in between.

I was kindly sent two pairs of lashes, the ones I'm going to review are the Vava Voom, a wearable fluttery lash that you could take from day to night with ease!

Now, I adore false lashes, I love how they look on, the way they can take a look from glam to Oscars Awards Night in one swift move. There's just one problem. I am inept. Two halloweens ago it took me around 40 minutes to apply a set of falsies, from start to finish. When they were on though.... that look was fierce. Remembering that, I decided to at least try.

My first thought was that the band is a little on the thick side, as you can probably tell from the picture, and I generally try to opt for thinner banded lashes because they're meant to be a bit more beginner friendly. I was pleasantly surprised. The band was very flexible and easy to trim, making it easy to fit them to my eyes exactly.

In the interest of full disclosure, I must admit that I used my Duo Lash Adhesive instead of the little bottle that the lashes come with. I like to keep those little bottles of glue to take in a clutch on nights out, just in case! I'm the friend with hair pins, bobbins, a brush, my whole makeup collection and glue in their purse in the club!!

VaVaVoom Lashes in action

I trimmed the lashes from the outside, and I applied a thin strip of glue to the band. Here's where it gets tricky. I have 3 different lash applicator tools but I couldn't locate one. So I went in with my fingers for the base application, laying them down as close to the centre of my natural lash line as I could, and then took a tweezers to do the fiddly ends. Voila, one was done! I repeated the same process to the other eye, from trimming to application and I suddenly had these show stopper lashes that I couldn't stop flapping and fluttering.

What about the thick band? I hear you ask... Well that thick band didn't make it any more difficult than a pair of Eyelure 114's. It was flexible and light. Once you get used to the feel of glued on lashes pf any kind, you forget they're there and that's the same for these lovely lashes!

Overall, I'm pretty chuffed with these lashes. I might update you in a later post about the reuseability factor, how they hold up to being cleaned, etc.

Threads Lashes were kindly gifted to me for review, however you can pick them up on http://www.threadsbeauty.com/ for £9 a pair!

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My Septum Piercing Experience & Clickers!

Wearing my everyday hinged sleeper 

I got my septum pierced a few months back, and it was a pretty scary prospect for me. I've got a few piercings, and they were all pretty painful. My conch ring was awful, took 16 months to heal and put me off cartilage forevermore, my nipple was sore as it was being done but it never bothers me much 8 months later. 

So I decided I was getting my septum pierced, and that it was going to be a solo adventure. In the past, I've always had somebody with me for moral support, and in the case of my nipple piercing, the person who came with me was getting the same thing done after me. So I was fine. But this time? I'd be alone... That was the scariest thought. So I took myself off to Dublin Ink and was seen by a lady piercer who made me feel so at ease from the minute I met her. 

When the needle went through, I was surprised, it pinched, but there was no outright pain like in past piercing experiences. She popped the barbell in and that was the piercing done! I healed it mostly flipped up and within a month it was fully healed. I was delighted. It cost me €25 as Dublin Ink do a special offer on all standard piercings. 

What I will say is that I have a tendency to wiggle my nose if it's itchy or I'm cold or anything, and doing that moved the piercing and that pain was horrific. That was the only pain I experienced with this piercing. 

Generally, I wear a hinged sleeper ring that I picked up in Wildcat North in it which is about 8mm in diameter, for a pretty unoffensive look. If I forget to put my retainer in when I go to work, this little hoop doesn't really get much negative feedback. 

Clickers are my loves though, I have a few, and I find them great for making a look more dramatic. I've picked up most of my clickers from Crazy Factory, which is a super cheap, good quality and reliable site for all things body mod related! My favorites are pictured below - silver with peridot, black with peridot, silver with aurora borealis stones, a mini moustache, my retainer for work, and some circular barbells with all kinds of balls for the ends. I picked up one crazy one in Wildcat South, a giant silver tribal style with clear stones. 

Clickers work on a hinge, so you pop it open, slide it though and then click it shut. They're cute and way less fiddly than ball closures or circular barbells. You can swap out a clicker without needing a mirror or endless patience the way you do when those little balls are involved!! 

Anyways, that my septum piercing experience and my favorite clickers for you. If you're thinking of getting a septum piercing, I say do it. They look great on everyone and they heal super fast with no awful pain. 

Amy 
xx

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A Single Spotlight: Woven Skull

A few months back on a trip to Cork, I made my way into my favorite record store down in the Triskel Arts Centre - Plug'd, and went flipping through vinyl for an hour or so. On my adventure there, I naturally got chatting to the owner of this incredible little independent store and eventually I walked out with close to ten new records. Today I want to shine a single spotlight on one band in particular, who you probably have never heard of - Woven Skull.

"Minimal repetitions made inside of haunted woods and burning bogs", is the incredibly succinct tagline on Tumblr. This band make the most wonderful ethereal music, the likes of which up until last March I had never experienced before... Now though, I'm the proud owner of Lair Of The Glowing Bantling, which was released on Penske Records.

Everything about this band is wonderful, the music, the way they become an organic, single entity when they play on stage, it's all just so natural and in some ways I am mystified by it because it's unlike anything I've ever experienced. Don't ask me to pigeon hole this group into a single genre or sub-genre, because they cant be. This trio just...are.

I took a risk on Woven Skull the first time I heard them, and now I'm dying to get back to Cork, to Plug'd records to see if I can't lay hands to more of their exquisite work.

Check them out on Facebook, Bandcamp and Tumblr. 

XO, 

A

PS... The Perfect Pout from Penneys?

On a recent trip to Penneys I was browsing the beauty section, and I stumbled across their own brand lipsticks and liners. At first, I was going to go for the nude shades, since nude lips are all the range thanks to Kylie Jenner. But then I saw the red, and I couldn't be swayed. After all, I am Red Lips, Red Hair, aren't I?

I picked up the red PS Lip Liner Pencil, which sadly doesn't seem to have a shade name or number, and the PS Lipstick in Reddy Or Not. The liner was €1.50, and the lipstick was €1.30. I went into this blind, no swatching or anything. After all, for a total of €2.80, it's a safe bet to hedge.

As you can see in the swatches, the liner is a lovely, smooth, true red. The lipstick was more sheer than I was expecting, with a pink finish.... I was dubious, to say the least. Still, I persevered, even if the lipstick sucked, I'd still have the liner!

I lined my lips with the lovely red liner and filled them in. So far, so good. It went on smoothly, with a matte finish but not chalky or dry. I've used liners that cost five times as much, and didn't feel nearly as nice. To finish the lip, I took Reddy Or Not over the liner, and oh my god it's love. This is the perfect red. It's got a lovely satin finish with the lipstick over the top, and it feels so incredibly comfortable on. It wears nicely too, something I wasn't sure about considering the price tag.

I am so impressed with this liner and lippy combo. It's cheap, it's great quality, has a lovely finish and wears well, what more could you want for under €3?!

What's On My Vanity?

Some of my favorite things on YouTube are room tours, house tours, and collection videos. I'm such a nosy person when it comes to beauty stuff and interiors. It's a bit of a problem, to be honest. Anyways, today I'm coming to you with a post about my makeup area, where my army of products live in a vaguely organised manner.

On the top of my desk, I've got a little shallow box that I use to keep my every day skincare stuff in. I've a lot of Nivea products, some of which were kindly sent to me, and others I bought myself. I keep my two favorite face masks, Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance and No. 7 Beautiful Skin Pore Vacuum Mask on my desk at all times and within easy reach. I used to have my short travel brushes from Eco Tools in a shot glass but I'm clumsy and I broke the shot glass. Now they live in a little egg cup, and that does the job just fine! Just in front of that box I have my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation, some Tea Tree Oil and my Celtic Collection Calming Serum.

To the right side of the big box of skin care, I've got my two Urban Decay Naked Palettes, 2 and 3. I've tucked in my Sleek Face Contour Kit alongside them just because the space was there and I use it every time I do my face. Beyond that, to the right again, I've my Muji Acrylic Storage for my brushes, and a little collection of nail polish, balm for my stretched ears and my sharpener.

Time to move onto my shelves and cubbies, but first - my mirror. I picked this No. 7 Lighted Mirror up in the Christmas Sales in Boots a couple of years ago and it's my ultimate beauty tool. If like me, you're blind and you need to see things extra zoomed in and lit from all angles, this is the mirror for you!! I did manage to let something fall onto it and crack the top of the mirror but it still works and I'm not really too fussed about it.

On the first shelf, I keep products I don't use that often but still want within reach, so I've got a cleansing oil, some Sudocrem, Surgical Spirit, a spare Nivea Bi Phase Eye Makeup Remover, some So...? perfume, and a little three drawer unit with things like tweezers and cuticle nippers and such in.

The middle shelf has my acrylic drawer set that I nabbed in TK Maxx last year. The top drawer is all of my favorite lipsticks, the second drawer is face stuff like spare blushes and palettes, and the bottom drawer is things I might find handy or need to complete a look, things like lash glue and NYX Jumbo Pencils and spare eyeliners.

The cubbies are pretty boring, I must admit. The left cubby is little bottles of perfume, and the right cubby is a small box from Tiger that houses cotton wool buds and my solid Blender Cleanser.

So there you have it, my vanity. I hope this was mildly enjoyable, and if not, I promise to make my next post something you will love!! 

XO 

A

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Get Ready With Me: Natural Glam!

How long has it been since I posted a step by step breakdown of what I've got on my face? Too long!!! So today I'm going to go through the steps taken to achieve a natural glam look.

First things first, wash them hands, girl! Then pop in lenses if you're blind like my good self! Then take some skincare over your face, I chose my Nivea 2 in 1 Cleanser and Toner, followed by my Nivea Q10 Day Cream.

Starting with the base, I primed with W7 Prime Magic Anti Redness, and went in with my Rimmel Stay Matte foundation which I applied with a round top kabuki brush and then pressed over with a cheap makeup sponge. I set it with Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool. For contour I took my Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light and contoured my cheekbones, temples and under my jawline. I took a Catrice Blush in Pinkerbell across my cheeks - I was going for a natural rosy glow. I didn't bother with highlighting this time around. Pure laziness on my part. 

I took an angled brush and the shade Tease from the Naked 2 palette to define by brows, and set them with my W7 clear brow gel. 

For my eyes, I primed my lids with Essence I Heart Stage and took Tease through the crease all the way to the inner corner of my eye on a fluffy brush. Then I took Busted on a small flat brush and carefully pressed it into the outer third of the crease and very outer corner, dragging it under my eye to my lower lashline to about halfway. I blended this all out with a clean fluffy brush and went back between Busted and blending until I was happy with the definition. To amp up the glam side of this look I pressed Half Baked onto the empty space on my lid, blending gently to diffuse it into the darker shades. This created a soft yet glam smokey eye. For my liner wings I used my NYX liquid liner in Glam Golden which is a deep antique looking gold shade. Then I lined my waterline with a black pencil liner, and applied a thick coat of Catrice Better Than False Lashes mascara. 

To finish the look, I hummed and deliberated over the lips, but in the end I opted for Mac Cremesheen in Creme Cup. This creamy nude pink makes this a great every day lip color and so it completes a great natural look for the day time.

Pardon my dorky face in the last picture, it made me laugh so I thought I would include it!! 

What do you think of this look? 

Would you like to see more of this sort of thing?

XO 

A

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What Is My Face Worth? [UPDATED]

A while back, and I mean ages ago, I posted a "What is my face worth?" post, and the grand total was just shy of €50. You can read that post in a new tab HERE.  It's been three years, which means it's high time to see what my face is worth now that I've had three years to learn about products and cultivate my lovely stash. Just for full disclosure, I've tried to hunt down accurate pricing for some of the products I've had for a while, so forgive me if they are not 100% accurate.

Let's just get started, this is gonna hurt my in my soul by the time I've done the maths!!

I've started with my W7 Prime Magic primer - €6.00(ish), then I applied my Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation - €36.00 and I set that with my Natural Collection Pressed Powder - €3.09.

I defined my brows with the shade Faint from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette - €26.00. Then I contoured and highlighted my face with the Sleek Contour Kit in Light - €9.99(ish) and I applied the shade Pinkerbell blush by Catrice on my cheeks - €4.49

Then on to the eyes. I took my Gwen X Urban Decay palette (€46.00) and ran Anaheim through the socket as a blending shade. Then I took Bathwater as a highlight under my brows. On a short, flat brush, I took Punk over my lids and blended it out for a smokey, grungy eye look.

For liner I used my trusty Rimmel London Glam Eyes Liquid Liner (€7.20) across my upper lashline and into a wing. I ran some black pencil liner that I've had forever onto my tightline (€5.00 ish) and finally took my Benefit Roller Lash (€26.00) mascara through my lashes.

To finish, I applied Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Shame (€19.00) and set everything with my Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray which I have in the travel size (€11.00)

And now I'm going to go and cry it all off because the grand total is.... €199.77!!!

Mother of god. I thought because I use budget and high end I could balance it out, but I was very wrong!!! Almost €200 for my face? Good thing I shop in Penneys, eh?!

I think this is a TAG so I'm going to tag my two favorite bloggers right now, Kayliegh Land and Aoife - Rockette Queen!

What is your face worth?? 

Amy 

xo 

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Mazeltov, Good Things!

"What?!" I hear you say, "Amy is actually doing a beauty review on her beauty blog?!"

Yes, yes I am! I'm going to talk about the Good Things...eh....things I picked up in TK Maxx recently. On both of these products I have to give honorable mentions to how stinkin' cute the packaging is! I love it!!!

Good Things Total Wipeout Cleansing Wipes. 

These wipes are kind of amazing! They are so so soft, like, so soft. I cannot stress enough how soft they are. They also smell incredible, since they have super-fruit extracts of raspberry and cranberry as well as Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. I was impressed by how good they smelled because normally you have to tolerate a certain amount of the icky chemically smell that comes with most wipes, but these are so fresh and fruity by comparison... You certainly don't have to tolerate any burning or itching or tightness from your skin afterwards. Since my skin is so sensitive I was really concerned, but I was incredibly surprised to find they didn't even make my skin the slightest bit pink despite being tough enough to take off a full face of makeup, including liquid liner. Result!!

There are 25 wipes in a pack and I picked mine up in TK Maxx for €2.99

Good Things Manuka Honey Radiance Face Mask

Masks are something I love. I feel so indulgent when I use them. I picked this little gem up in TK Maxx as I thought a little treat was in order for myself and himself - he likes his skincare too, just as much as I do. When I saw that this was a brightening mask for dull, tired skin, I was sold. Since I work in a bakery where the air is dry and dusty, and he cycles to work and home every day, I thought this was perfect! So we both slathered it onto to clean faces, left it for a while (the tube says ten minutes but it was more like twenty), and then rinsed it off with warm water. I have to say my skin felt so clean and refreshed even from the first application that I was pretty taken aback. We both looked so much fresher and more alive, it was quite something. The brightening promised in this mask is aided by the extract of papaya and manuka honey helps to nourish the skin meaning you get more bang for your buck with this lovely tube of happiness.

There is a range of the Manuka Honey products from Good Things and I will be on the hunt for them to go along with this.

This mask is 100ml and it was €3.99 in TK Maxx.

So there you have it, I have nothing but good things to say about these Good Things offerings. 

Have you tried this range?

Let me know what I should try next!! 

XO 

A 

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My Holy Grail Contour Kit!!

Contouring and highlighting is probably my favorite step when I'm putting my face on. I love going from having a flat, pale face, to having actual cheekbones!!! It's probably the most enjoyable part of my make-up routine for that very reason. So here are my steps and favorite contouring and highlighting bits and pieces. Here we go!!

I opt for a powder contour in my make-up routine, I just find it works better for me than cream products. I know plenty of gorgeous ladies who cream contour, but I just like powder products better. I generally move between two different contour palettes, but my routine and my tools are always the same.

My absolute favorite contour and highlight duo of all time, ever is the Sleek Face Contour Kit in Light. It seems to be never ending because I use this all the time and I've yet to hit pan on either the highlight or the contour shades. Cray cray!!

To contour, I first like to carve out my cheekbones with the contour color and my Blank Canvas Cosmetics F30 flat contour brush. This brushes bristles are really short, dense and narrowly packed. If you're familiar with the Nars Ita brush, it's very similar. I lightly press the brush into the contour shade and tap off the excess, and then it's time to carve out the general shape and angle of my contour. From here I can build up the pigment if I need to, though I tend to leave that for the second step.

The second step for me is to take my Real Techniques Contour Brush and blend, blend, blend!!! This is the point where I start to-ing and fro-ing from my F30 to my RT brush to build up the colour and blend for a nice diffused finish.

I'm going to blow your mind with my highlight tool... I take my middle finger, swipe it in the pan and then dab and blend onto the top of my cheekbones. Yep. Sometimes I will use a small fan brush, but mostly I'm lazy and my fingers do the job.

So there you have it, my contour routine!

Have you any recommedations for contour products? Highlighters? 

Drop me a line below! 

XO 

Amy

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Red Review: The Darkness Permission To Land

Image: Pitchfork.com

Ah The Darkness, one of the most formative bands of my teenage years. Permission to Land was their debut album, and is beloved by many, considering how hardcore their fans are over a decade later. 

Permission to Land has a very special place in my heart because when I was 14 it was the first rock n roll album I ever bought. I remember being so wary when I brought it home that it would be taken off me for the cover and the explicit lyrics. When I heard the opening riff to Black Shuck, I was hooked, this band were an addiction. It's just the whole thing, Justin singing, Dans solos, Frankies understated bass, and Ed's drums. The combination should be classified as a Class A drug. 

I found this record in Tower Records above Easons in Dublin, and there was no hesitation between unearthing it and the sprint to the checkout - a limited run picture vinyl of the first album I ever bought? There was no question in my mind, it had to be mine. But then again, that's how I feel about all albums by The Darkness - "I must have it!!". 

I put it on my player as soon as I got home and just straight up looked at it for about ten minutes. Then I put the needle down and got rockin!! 

  Black Shuck is the punchy, gutsy, high octane opener to this magnificent work of glam rock perfection, The track explores the lore of the Black Shuck, a mythical creature that was said to haunt the church of a neighboring town to Lowestoft, from which the band hail. From there we plough into Get Your Hands Off My Woman which at least here in Ireland was heavily censored when the single was released in late 03, if memory serves. I remember being pretty pissed about that, but I was starting the rebellious stage and I'm nothing if not committed to my rock and roll being kept pure and untainted. Then we have Growing On Me, a nice melodic interlude from the shredding riffs and ballsy lyrics. 


Step right up, the song which made this band famous!! I Believe in A Thing Called Love is possibly the most famous song in this bands whole back catalogue, but I'm sad to say I don't think it's the best. It's fucking brilliant, don't take me up wrong but it's definitely not the best this record has to offer. I would be more of an advocate of Love Is Only A Feeling, a song which still, thirteen years later, manages to give me chills. And yes, I do know every word. In fact, I can identify it over a PA system within seconds of hearing the opening chord. If you haven't seen the video by the way, maybe check that shit out on YouTube! Ah-mazebeans!!! 

Two tracks later, after Givin' Up and Stuck In A Rut, we have my favorite track on this whole record, Friday Night. I couldn't tell you why I love this song so much, it's just love in its purest form. I can't explain to you what this song makes me feel, but nostalgia and joy would be close to an explanation. Maybe this track, which harks back to school days just reminds me of what it's like to be young and wild and free, "dancing on a Friday Night" after all the mundane tasks of the week have been done. I've linked the song for you to have a listen, wrap your ears around this little ditty. 

Closing it strong we have Love On The Rocks (With No Ice), and Holding My Own. Two great lead out tracks to close off what I can only describe as one of the great musical loves of my life. This album is so entwined in my youth and closely interwoven with good memories that I can't fault this record - I never could. It's easy to see why this record was a UK Number 1 and an Irish Number 2 chart hit. It slaps you across the face and then French kisses you. Mmmmph! 

So there you have it, a little lyrical waxing from yours truly about one of the best records of all time (in my estimation). I've been lucky enough to get to see them live, and they're just one of my generations greatest musical offerings. 

XO

A

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A Few Favorites... [January Edition]

Aaaaand it's February! Today I'm going to take you through what I've been adoring and what I've found boring!

I've been adoring my Blanx Whitening Toothpaste*. Now I must admit right off the bat I don't know if it's whitening, but it's made my teeth feel so lovely and clean without being insanely minty. I'm just so taken by it. I find myself constantly running my tongue over my teeth for half the morning, probably looking like a tool bag in the process, lets be honest! It's just great, and it's not a stupid squeezy tube it's one you press the button and the toothpase just comes out like magic. A-dore!!!

Galaxy Hot Chocolate. Dealz is a great place to find this stuff, this creamy, chocolatey, wonderful treat. You put three or four teaspoons into a cup and pour over boiling water. That's probably why I like it so much. I'm lactose intolerant and I'm not really meant to have stuff like this but with Galaxy Hot Chocolate, I find I can get away without any migraines or tummyaches. Winner winner!!

Hozier. Lord above will I ever not be enraptured by this man and the talent he possesses? I've literally been listening to his album on repeat for months, and January was no different. I'm lucky enough to own his self titled album on vinyl, and it's sheer perfection. I've also got the album in my iPod and on my phone. I'm just obsessed. My current favorite track (though that fact is ever changing) is Work Song, which reminds me of my darling Dex. There's just no getting over this guy for me, Hozier just knows whats up and I could listen to his album every day til I die and still get something new from each song. Literally cannot get enough of it.

Catrice Better Than False Lashes Mascara. I bought this in a pinch, somehow I managed to leave the house without mascara on and I have to duck into a chemist to get something to fill the gap. This was on the catrice stand and I just went for it. There was no deliberating, it was the first one that came to my hand. It's actually great though, the wand is huge but not super bristly so you can go through in two or three swipes to catch all your lashes and avoid the spidery clumpy look we all know isnt cute. I didn't think I would but I very much like this mascara - so much so it's in my travel make up kit permanently.

So there you have it, a little chat about stuff I've been digging this month. If you want, I could try to mention some stuff I have been less than impressed by. Let me know!! 

XO

A

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