Sleek Cream Contour Palette - Light*

For the past few weeks I have been experimenting with cream contouring. I'm usually a huge fan of powder contour, but after attending the Masterclass and seeing it being used, I decided to give it a bash!

I went about this by applying my regular foundation and then going in with a contour shade below my cheekbones as normal. The contour shade I close was the second deepest shade (the middle pan on the bottom row) and I applied it with a Blank Canvas Cosmetics F21 Angled Brush and blended it with my Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge.

At first it looks a bit scary but then when you blend it, the stark lines fade out and it leaves a really natural finish - perfect for everyday wear. Then  I set it with a powder, ideally I would prefer a translucent powder but I've been using the Natural Collection Pressed Powder in Cool. This sets the cream without altering the pigmentation! You could also just opt not to set it at all and go for a natural, dewy finish.

I'm so impressed with this palette, and it has quickly become a staple in  my routine. I like to use the concealer shades when I travel, making it a viable option when I'm away from my extensive vanity, especially given the giant mirror inside. Expect to see this in quite a few GRWM posts in the future!

Have you tried this palette? 

Let me know! 

Amy

xx

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*This palette was gifted to me at the Sleek Cream Contour Masterclass. 

Review - Loreal Studio Pro Range

Morning All!!

Today I'm coming to you with a review (I know, right?!) of the Loreal Studio Pro products I picked up a few weeks back. I picked up the Boost It Mousse, and the Lock It Hair Spray. I was intrigued by the whole range because Loreal claim the Studio Pro line has a "double hold formula", so I had to try and see, didn't I?

First of all, can we take a moment for the packaging, please? I adore the yellow and black design, it's so eye catching and incredibly cheery. I love how it stands out among all my products, it makes it easier to find them while I'm half blind coming out of the shower.

Boost It!! 

Mousse isn't something I generally used when I had longer hair, and to be completely honest, I'm not sure why, as now I feel I couldn't live without it. It boosts the volume of my hair quite a lot, and adds a good bit of hold along with it, which if you're not about that serious hold life, would probably do you!

I apply a small blob of this to towel dried hair, go through with my Tangle Teezer and then blow dry it. I start by drying the sides of my hair to keep them sleek and looking lovely, then I lift my hair up and dry it at the root for extra lift. My hair sort of sweeps over and across my eyes, so I use a round brush to direct the hair to lay where I want it.

I don't find this mousse leaves any sticky residue if you are mindful about how much you need, obviously if you overdo it, you're gonna have a crunchy, sticky head of hair. I find it incredibly light and the claims of double lift definitely have some grounding to them. Even when I slept on my hair, I found the next day if I just ran my hand through near the roots, the lift was still there.

You can find Boost It Mousse HERE

Lock It!!

I think I've found Mr Right and he's actually a can of hairspray!! I picked this up in the strongest hold, number 5 - Ultra Strong, and it's incredible. It's not crunchy or crispy in the slightest and yet it holds my hair incredibly. It's also not offensive with it's scent, a point which I'd like to make because my beloved Elnette has an overpowering whiff by comparison.

I mess my hair a little, spray a little, and repeat until my hair is where I want it. It's honestly that easy. It's also worth mentioning that I haven't noticed a build up or any kind of residue, which is incredible because I was my hair every other day.

You can find Lock It Hairspray HERE

Have you tried any of the Loreal Studio Pro range?

Amy

xx

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Collective Beauty Haul

Budget beauty is my one weakness. I cannot fault a great product at a great price point that does a great job, and who would?! Some of the best brands have tiny price tags, and today, my picks have both of those attributes in spades.

Face packs are a weakness of mine, and some of my favorites are the Montagne Jeunesse 7th Heaven Mud range. I'm a huge fan of the Blemish Mud, which has been a firm favorite for almost a year, but I have never tried the Dead Sea Mud Pac, so I'm excited to see how it goes. For those of you who are Vegan and Cruelty Free, these masks are perfect for you! €1.80 a piece in Dunnes Stores nationwide!

Wet N Wild are a brand I've loved since they hit Irish shores, and since I attended the launch party last year, I had been eyeballing the MegaLast lipstick in the shade 24 Carrot Gold, a stunning orange shade. I have always been hesitant to try an orange lip, because it's quite a statement, and unlike a red lip, it's not terribly common. I bit the bullet, and for €2.99, it's a minor investment. When I try it, I will be sure to Instagram it! Also, from Wet N Wild I bought yet another nail polish from the MegaLast range in Private Viewing, which is a gorgeous pink nude. I'm super excited to try this polish, and who knows, perhaps I shall start a new love affair. At €2.99 a pop, it's not going to break the bank!

I picked up some bits from the PS Beauty range in Penney's, which is going from strength to strength! First I opted for the PS Matte translucent powder, which looks white in the pan, but is completely without pigment! I'm hoping it will replace my Catrice translucent powder, and at €2.50, if it does, it will be even better value! I also picked up two PS Pro Lip Liner Pens, in 03 Provocative Pink and 04 Midnight Crimson. The pigmentation of the swatches alone has me excited to try them and if they prove worthy, I'll be buying the others - who would blame me for €3.00 each?!

So there you have it, my collective beauty haul. All budget beauty, but who knows, maybe next time I'll pop some high end into the mix! 

Amy 

xx

Twitter // Snapchat: redlips_redhair

Look Luxe For Less!

If there's one thing I love it's a glossy manicure! I was a huge fan of gel nails for a long time, shellac was a love affair for a while, and then I became hooked on regular polish. Nails are one of those details that makes all the difference, if you ask me! With all that said, I am a budget babe at heart, and I pride myself on looking incredible for a tiny price, so read on, and learn how I get an expensive looking manicure for less!




What You Will Need:

• Penneys PS False Nails,
• Nail clipper, 
• Nail file, 
• Polish,
• Topcoat,
• Nail accessories (optional) 

Penneys nails are the backbone of this look, and my favorite are the PS 24 Fashion Nails that you can pick up for €1.50. I go with nude because it's easier to work with but it's all up to you. Fit and glue the right sizes to your natural nail, and then move on to the next step!

Using a nail clippers, clip the sharp tip off the falsie, and file the raw edge off it. The file I like best is the Essence Banana File, which is a double sided file with a rough grit side and a fine grit side. This takes the shape of the nail from claw to almond with ease, and is less than €3.

Next up, paint your nails with the polish of your choice, any color you fancy. Two thin coats are best for maximum pay off. Essence do great polishes, as do Wet N Wild, NYC and Rimmel. If you couldn't tell, I'm a fan of budget brands. For this look, I went with Essence Colour And Go in 113 Do You Speak Love? and NYC In A New York Minute in 002 Full Metal Jacket on the ring finger as an accent.

If you want to apply studs or diamante details, now is the time. Add a small dot of nail glue and apply them for the best possible adhesion. You can pick up nail accessory wheels in most Penneys for €1.50. Then it's topcoat time! I'm a huge fan of the Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat, it's glossy and dries quickly and you can pick it up nationwide for €3.09

To finish the whole process, I apply a dab of Skinfix Hand Repair Cream* and massage it in to leave my hands looking and feeling wonderful.

This manicure looks so lush and expensive, it will prompt compliments from people who will be shocked and delighted when you tell them "Thanks, Penneys finest!!". If you try this mani, do please let me know! 

Amy

xx

Twitter // Snapchat: redips_redhair

*This post contains an iten sent to me for consideration by SkinFix, which I reviewed in a previous post. 

Good Things Manuka Honey Refining Scrub

Ever since I ran out of my Loreal Men Expert Pure Power, I've been in the market for a new scrub. I've been meaning to pick up a new tube for weeks and weeks but I just never remember. So, when In was in Mullingar with Tash, I picked this up in TK Maxx for €3.99. I have the mask from this range too and I really like it, so I knew this would be decent.

The first time I used it I was a little disappointed, it didn't really make a huge impression for the good, or the bad. I persevered though, because I'm not a quitter, and I was much more impressed after the second and third uses. This mask actually has left my skin feeling incredibly smooth and nourished. I followed it with the mask on the third use and it really made a difference. So much so, that as I write this, I've only got moisturiser and mascara on. I don't want to smother perfectly smooth, clear skin in product!!

I''m pretty chuffed with this mask, it's reasonably priced, and it contains wonderful ingredients like Sweet Almond Oil which is rich in natural fatty acids that are incredible for your skin to leave it smooth an nourished. It also harnesses Kaolin which draws out all the impurities so you have a long lasting, clear and radiant complexion. The scrubby bits are Oatmeal Kernal which are gentle but so effective at removing dead skin. If you use this scrub twice or three times weekly, you'll notice soon enough the positive effects on your skin.

If you want to purchase it, you can find it in Boots stores or on Boots.ie

Let me know if there are any products you want to see me try in upcoming posts! 

Amy

xx

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Review: Nars Night Breed

Good morning, lovelies!

I'm a huge fan of a glossy black manicure, because it looks so chic with every look and it's pretty much effortless. My favorite thing about a nice mani is how it makes you look put together and polished with absolutely no other effort put in. This particular polish harks back to my teen years and my ever present black nails, but in a much more grown up and refined way.

I've been obsessed with NARS Night Breed recently, as it's a beautiful black polish with fine silver micro glitter, so it takes my beloved go-to nail look up a notch.

The brush is a standard slim brush that you would find in lower end polishes.
It applies well, really only needing one coat but I always apply two. It dries to a satin matte finish, so if you want a glossy finish, you've got to apply a topcoat.

As I type this, I've been wearing it for five straight days with no chipping, just a small bit of wearing at the tip of my nails. That's impressive!!

I'm absolutely in love with this polish, and will be wearing it regularly from now on. Have you any polish recommendations for me? 

Amy

x

Twitter  // Snapchat: redlips_redhair

My Permanent Makeup Experience* (Part 1 of 2)

When I was 16 my eyebrows were absolutely shameful, between years of over plucking and trying to grow them out to emulate my ultimate girl crush Cara Delevigne, I tried waxing, threading, careful tweezing, embracing the natural look, tinting, pencils powders and every other product under the sun. The concept of Permanent Makeup had been floating about on my radar online, mentioned in YouTube videos, articles and blogs, but up until a few weeks ago, I had never given it proper consideration. That's when Olena came into my life! She's a Permanent Make Up and Aesthetic Skin Care Specialist. I took this as a sign, my poor little brows were to be saved!

My face, no makeup, with the most pathetic brows.
This was taken on March 3rd in Amsterdam. 

My issue with my brows wasn't that they were thinning, it was how uneven they were! One always looked good and the other one was pathetic. I would make sure my fringe hid the sad pathetic brow and showed off the decent one! Funny, really, if you think about it. They were also always brown because I could never find a product to suit my pigmentation. It's also worth noting that absolutely anyone can get beautiful, natural looking brows with Olenas technique, I have seen some incredible before and after shots of Alopecia sufferers, who had no brows whatsoever beforehand, and afterwards had the most wonderful, natural looking finished brows.

So. My experience. I opted to have my work done in Dublin, and I arrived really early, in true Amy style! When  I arrived I read and signed a long form with all of the fine details on it, had some chats and then we got started. I sat up on a chair facing directly forward and Olena got started freehanding the guide marks. This process took about 30-40 minutes, all in all, with lots of checking and rechecking, as well as talking and laughing and making faces to determine the angles and lines. This makes sure that your brows are perfectly placed, so they work with every expression, every moment of every day.

Stencils (ignore my dopey face)

Once the guides were perfected, Olena mixed the ink. Yes, ink! She created a custom shade that we were both happy with and got to the business at hand, The machine she uses is not too dissimilar to a tattoo gun, just more compact and not as noisy. The sensation of the needle on the skin is equal to that of a tattoo, but it does make you want to sneeze a little - mind you, it's not enough to make you actually sneeze, so don't worry. After the first few minutes, Olena applied a topical numbing ointment. This made the whole appointment fly by, without any dwelling on the discomfort. Then, in a flash, it was all over, and it was time for the great reveal,

Getting Started! 

I was stunned and delighted to see how natural they looked! My first words were "Oh my god, Olena they're amazing, and they're ginger!!". They really look incredibly natural, yet bold and defined without being overpowering. So far I'm only two days into healing, and I'll get more into that when they're all healed and I've been for my second appointment. So far, I am incredibly impressed, and I can see how it's so popular with women the world over. These brows make me feel bulletproof!

Almost finished! 

The cool thing about Olena is that not only does she do amazing brows, but she also does a whole plethora of other permanent makeup applications. Eyeliner, lippie, the works! I've added a link HERE to a gallery of all the before and after shots, so you can see the incredible work that Olena is a master of.

Immediately after the initial session!

Two days after the first session, brows looking incredible with absolutely NO product or makeup applied to them.
Obviously I am wearing a full face but there is nothing applied to my brow area, 

As you know, I don't push products or services I wouldn't willingly take on myself. I wouldn't rave about something I don't genuinely feel excited and enthusiastic about! Permanent Makeup by Olena is one of the best things I've ever had the pleasure of being asked to review, I hope you enjoyed this first installment of my experience. 

Amy

xo

Twitter // Facebook // Snapchat: redlips_redhair

*I was invited to try Permanent Makeup by Olena herself with no fee. My opinions are my own. 

Things Every Vinyl Owner Should Have

It's no secret that I adore vinyl, I've been collecting it for around a year now. I've had a hand in a couple of peoples first "hit" as it were. It's an addiction, ask any audiophile. There's a problem though. It's expensive. I've upgraded my set up once so far and I'm gearing up to do so again this year, hopefully for the long haul. Anyways, with that said, I'm going to presume you have a player and some records, and hit you with the accessories!

A Vinyl Cleaning Cloth or Kit. 

This one really should not be optional. Vinyl is a seriously expensive habit and you should want to keep your records in pristine condition. I have a specially made cloth for cleaning my records, just to take the dust and that off them before I start spinning them. Mine is from Planet Waves, but you can get them from a whole bunch of brands. If you click HERE I've linked a similar one from Amazon.

Decent Headphones 

Again, probably shouldn't be optional, but there you are! I have a set of these exact headphones and they're literally the best thing since sliced bread. With a 6m cable you can enjoy your records without disturbing anyone else and move around the room with a sense of freedom you wouldn't ordinarily have if you just plugged in a pair of Beats or iPhone earbuds... Click HERE for the link!

Friends Who are into Records Too! 

This one makes life so much more easy and fun, honestly! Himself and I frequently go record shopping and trade records here and there, which keeps things fresh and means we always have something new to listen to. Currently, I'm all about Torres and Daft Punk, which I wouldn't be if D hadn't forced them into my bag a few weekends ago, and I slid two of The Darkness onto his shelf as well as Woven Skull! It's fun, it keeps your tastes fresh and it sparks conversations, what's not to love?!

A General Idea of What Perfection is to You. 

I'd also like to just mention that you should have a sense of the kind of music you want to have on vinyl. It's not a cheap hobby, so you want to invest your wedge wisely. I've got records by bands I absolutely wholeheartedly adore, and honestly. I wouldn't want my collection to have anything in it I didn't passionately think was the epitome of audio perfection. If, to you, perfection is vintage records, go for it! Same for new records - have a ball! Just build up your ideal collection, don't buy stuff you think is "meh".

Time To Spare...

...to spend at record fairs! Go to the Thomas House Record Fair, go to the Grand Social Flea Market, dig around in car boot sales, learn where all the secret hidden gem stores are, This hobby requires digging around in record bins, flipping through oceans of re-issues, but it's worth it! I bought a vintage Lord Of The Rings soundtrack because I had the patience to flip through all the crap to get to it!

So there you have it, some things every record-aficionado should have, from the tangible to the thoughtful! Let me know what your necessities are, folks! 

Amy x

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