GRWM - Current Everyday Face

Hey guys! Today I'm going to show you how I go from a 4, to a solid 7! Only joking, I'm pretty comfortable with how I look sans slap, but I love makeup, I think it's fun, it's a process I enjoy every time I do it. So today I'm going to show you what I look like before and after, when I do my every day routine.

I'm going from this...

I always start by cleansing, and currently, I'm using the Nivea Essentials Sensitive Cleansing Milk on a cotton round to cleanse my skin of anything icky, and then move onto moisturising with a combo of my BioDerma HydraBio Serum and Nivea Q10 Energising Day Cream before I slap on my... well... slap!

For my base, I'm just roving between my Rimmel Match Perfection and my Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundations, they're both great, and I love them both equally, so I just go for whichever one is nearer to me on any given day! Today I went with Covergirl, and I powdered over the top with my PS Matte Transluscent powder. It just sets the liquid without adding any more pigment. Then I contoured with my Revolution Blush Palette in Golden Sugar, taking the matte bronzer on a contour brush and lightly buffing it in under my cheekbones.

For my eyes, which were next, I set my brows with Essence Make Me Brow, just to keep them from going too wild. Then I whipped out my Gwen X Urban Decay eye palette and a fluffy eye brush, and applied Stark all over the lids as a base, then ran Anaheim through the socket as a transition shade. I got a smaller fluffy brush, and took Zone over the lid and blended it in with Anaheim. Then came the fun part. To deepen the look, I took a tiny little brush, and the shade Punk, carefully patting it onto the outer corner, into the crease and down a little to the lower lashline. Then I took a clean blender brush and blended it all out, deepening the colour, and repeating until I was happy. The idea is a semi bruised, grunge-inspired eye. To finish the look off I took Blonde on my finger tip and applied it to the brow bone as a highlight. I lined my eyes with Rimmel Exaggerate Liquid Liner (not my favorite, mind you, but it was within reach). Mascara was an easy pick, Catrice Better Than False Lashes did the job on my upper and lower lashes.

...to this!!! 

I applied my MUA Blush in Marshmallow on my cheeks with a very light hand, and then I highlighted with the creamy shade from the Revolution Blush Palette, because it's the best highlight in the world as far as I'm concerned. That's a fact.

I didn't actually apply any lipstick, I just applied a little of my Blistex Daily Lip Conditioner, and that was me finished! I did bring my MAC Lipstick in Faux with me to apply at some point, though!!

So there you have it, my every day routine. Suffice to say I don't use the same products every day, but the finished look is always pretty much the same as this - a smudgy, grunge-y, lived in eye look. It's easy, it's quick and it looks great to boot. 

What do you think? 

Amy 

xx

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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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#CorkBlogMeet15 - The Recap

At 11.30, on Saturday February 21st, 21 bloggers (mostly from the greater Munster area) descended on Debenhams for a day of product demos, talks and networking, painstakingly organized by Zoe (sorry girl, no umlauts on this keyboard, I'm afraid!!). I am blessed and grateful to have been able to make the trip from Meath to my favourite city, to spend the day with gorgeous ladies doing something that makes me so happy. 

First up we were guided into a private room and plied with the most incredible croissants, danishes and a selection of drinks ranging from cranberry juice to sparkling wine. Each of our seats had 3 goodie bags upon them and one below. I can tell you, I was absolutely taken aback by how special we were made feel.

The head of P&G Fragrances gave a talk about the latest releases and passed around scented cards and spoke about each new release in detail. Personally, I haven't stopped lusting after Dolce by Dolce and Gabanna for myself, and Gucci Guilty for men as a treat for Chris. They are seductive and utterly more-ish.

Sharon, one of 3 of Debenhams personal shoppers gave a talk about the service offered and talked us through the upcoming trends for the coming season.

Once the talks were wrapped up, there were some spot prizes drawn out and then we were split into groups of seven to head onto the store floor and receive demos by Clarins, Urban Decay and Elizabeth Arden.

Clarins:

At the Clarins counter we were talked through some of their most popular products, the stand out for myself being the Body Lift Cellulite Control, which when applied twice daily after exfoliation lifts and firms areas of "sponginess" on the body. As Clarins most popular product, you can guarantee that this stuff does what it claims!!

Clarins had organized to gift us with little treats, but they were sent to the Dublin counter and so are being sent to us at home in the coming weeks. How lovely is that??

Urban Decay:

Kate and Carolyn from Urban Decay gave talks on the new Naked Skin Concealer and Naked Skin Powder Foundation respecively. Naked Skin Concealer comes in 8 shades, which is incredible. Weightless, build-able, light diffusing and capable of covering tattoos, I was really impressed by it. The Powder Foundation would not be for me, personally but it definitely has its merits.

The stand out products at Urban Decay for me where the Sheer Revolution Lipsticks, which do it for me in every respect. They boast Vitamin C, Vitamin E and Aloe Vera among the ingredients and have the most incredible high gloss finish and come in under MAC in price at 19 euro.

Again, Urban Decay spoiled us with shadows and liners as little treats. My liner was a dark blue black called Minx and the shadow is a matte warm brown called Secret Service. Both very user friendly for my colouring. 

Elizabeth Arden

At the Elizabeth Arden counter, the mantra is "Matte Is Back" and thus all the products on demo came with a matte finish, both foundation and lipstick. Rosin talked us through the Match MAker Service, where in a similar vein to No.7, they match a foundation to the tone on your skin using a nifty little light detection gadget. I got Alabaster, and I would be lying if I said I was not surprised. However, Elizabeth Arden do matte differently to others, offering a "satin matte", which is matte but radiant and gorgeous, not dull and cakey like competitors.

Elizabeth Arden gifted us with foundation samples matched to our skin which was a lovely touch.

After the In-Store demos, we all strolled back to our private room to collect our bags and have a raffle. I was lucky enough to be pulled out for 3rd prize and I claimed an Elizabeth Arden hamper. Delighted didn't cover it!! Zoe won a Clarins hamper as second prize and the stunning Aisling of Pale Girl walked away with the giant first prize hamper which was so big she couldn't take it home immediately.

Next, it was on to the Body Shop for a make-up demo and more goodies!! Some of the ladies went for threading as a treat, however I abstained. Nobody but Jenny B back home is allowed near my brows!! We spent almost an hour being talked through make-up and skincare. I picked up a Strawberry Hand Cream that smelled good enough to eat!! Nom nom nom!! Our treats contained new shadows from the spring line and either a lipstick or a nail colour; We were spoiled!!!

Finally, we migrated to SUAS on South Main St for drinks, more demos and banter. Zoe put together the most incredible goodie-bags laden with Sleek, Water-Wipes, Dream Dots, NYC, Physicians Formula and so much more!! At this point I was overwhelmed by the generosity of all these brands so I headed to the bar for a cocktail where I knocked great laughs out of the bartender over our horrific ID pictures. 

Inglot gave a demo for a beautiful but simple spring smokey eye look with a nude lip. Mei Ling (Darling Buds of Mei) sat as the model and was even more gorgeous, if thats even possible, when she walked away!

MeMeMe gave a demo and the dote that is Melissa modelled for it. When she walked away, the was a glowing goddess, which is the aesthetic MeMeMe are all about!

Sadly, before IsaDora gave their demo, I had to run to meet my friend. However the good folks of IsaDora got in touch to say they would send me my allocated goodie bag which was really going above and beyond the call of duty and I cant say "Thank You" enough!!

All in all it was a day of incredible fun and I think I can speak for every one of us when I thank Zoe for her incredible organization and effort. It was so so enjoyable and I'm grateful to have been a part of it! We all had a stellar day.

I also want to take a second to thank Debanhams for having us, Clarins, Urban Decay and Elizabeth Arden for talking us through some of the gorgeous products on offer and spoiling us when they didnt have to. The Body Shop was amazing, they accommodated us so graciously and SUAS really went above and beyond giving us a private area. Inglot, and MeMeMe also showed incredible generosity and gave wonderful presentations. 

Were you at the #CorkBlogMeet15?? 

Send me your links, ladies!!

xo,

Amy

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#CorkBlogMeet15 FOTD

Yesterday, I was one of 20 bloggers to attend the #CorkBlogMeet15 hosted by the absolutely gorgeous Zoe Holman of Zoe With Umlauts. Because it was set to be an amazing day, I knew I was going to have to make a big effort with my make-up, so I'm going to recount all of my products for you! 

As always, I cleansed with Nivea Daily Essentials 2 in 1 Cleanser and Toner, and then applied the Nivea Q10 Plus Serum Pearls before moisturising with Nivea Q10 Plus Energizing Day Cream. While that set I drank a cup of tea and laid out my war-paint, as it were!! 

First, I primed with W7 Prime Magic and gave it a moment to set in before I applied my beloved (and sadly almost empty) Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in Shell with my BCC F20 brush. Can you say "Holy grail combo"?! Love it!!! For concealer I went in with a touch of Maybelline FIT ME Concealer in the lightest shade under my eyes, around my nose and on my chin and dabbed it in with my ring finger. Then, I lightly contoured my cheeks with the warm bronzer shade of my Look Beauty Cheeky Trio and my BCC Flat Contour F30.  To set my make-up I went in with my Rimmel Lasting Perfection 25 Hour Powder and my RT Powder Brush. 

Time for them brows, girl! For my brow routine now I keep it really simple, by brushing them with a spoolie, and then lightly going through them with the Rimmel Brow Gel in Medium. That's it!!

Next it's time for the eyes. I primed with Urban Decay Primer Potion and used the Naked 2 to create my eye look. First I swept Tease through the crease for a transition shade. Then, I took Half Baked all over the lid, and blended Snakebite into the outer V. To add definition I very lightly took a touch of Busted through the outer V and into the crease. For my lower lash-line, I took Half Baked from the inner corner to halfway and then blended Snakebite from the middle outwards. I haven't been into liner really lately so I just tight-lined with a black pencil liner and added a few healthy sweeps of W7 Absolute Lashes and Maybelline The Rocket to complete the eye look. 

To finish my look I took my blush from my Look Beauty Cheeky Trio and swept it over my cheeks lightly, and then used the highlighter to highlight my cheekbones, brow bone and lightly down my nose. I applied MAC Faux for a neutral lip to balance out my bold eye look and that completed the whole look!! 

What do you think of my look??

Drop me a comment!!

xo

Amy

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Work Make-Up Routine

Work is one of those times where you want to look polished and put together, but you don't want to get up early to do that. At least, I'd rather not get up at stupid o'clock to put my face on. So, I've cut down the products I've been using and opted for quicker applications. 

I always start with cleanser, no matter what, and then I get straight down to business with Rimmel London 9in1 Radiance BB Cream, and powder lightly with Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25hr Powder Foundation for some extra coverage and a demi matte finish. For blush I like to go with Wet'N'Wild Pearlesent Pink for a radiant, "happy to be here" glow. 

I generally apply a sweep of mascara (Essence Lash Princess False Lash Effect or W7 Absolute Lashes) and a dab of lipbalm over my lips before I leave the house and then finish my eyes at my desk. I usually use my Naked2 palette and blend out two shades for a soft day look For my Brows I'm loving tinted brow gel, such as Maybelline Brow Drama. If I'm feeling inclined I'll lightly contour and highlight with my Sleek Contour Kit and finish with a slick of Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey. If I want to go for a bold lip, I've been loving my Rimmel Provocalips 16hr in Kiss Me You Fool.

It's just that simple! Honestly, when I'm doing my job it's rare that I'm dealing face to face with customers, but it's nice to look nice in case a client comes in. 

What is your go to work make-up??

Amy 

xx

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First Impressions of Naked On The Run

I can avoid most temptations, but the Urban Decay counter is not one of them. I'm weak, I'm so weak!! 

The Naked On The Run is the latest in the Naked range, boasting a large palette with everything you need to get ready on the go, besides foundation and powder. What more could you want? 

How beautiful is that casing???

This palette contains - 

5 all new eye shadows, 1 blush, 1 light bronzer, and one highlight shade, as well as liner, mascara and lipgloss. Oh, and a ginormous mirror!!

Shadow Swatches. 

The shadows, as pictured above, starting from the bottom, are:

Dive- a light gold/champagne shimmer with a rosy undertone

Fix- a very light brown toned matte

Resist- a mid toned neutral brown shimmer with gold micro shimmer

Dare- A deep brown matte 

Stun- a bronze brown with bronze micro shimmers

As always, each shadow is buttery soft, blendable, pigmented and long lasting. If I was to be reincarnated as a palette, I wouldn't care once I was Urban Decay! The beautiful neutral tones in the On The Run palette make it perfect for any season, because shimmery neutrals never go out of style! 

Inside the palette...

There is also a large pan house light bronzer and blush, as well as another pan with a cream highlight shade. Just like the shadows, each of these offerings are buttery soft. The bronzer is matte, however the blush has a satin sheen, which when applied to the skin, gives the face a beautiful healthy glow. The highlight shade really draws the light and yet never looks overpowering. Win!!

I haven't added a photo of the mascara wand or applied to my lashes, because really, the wand is the standard bristly kind, not like the plastic spiky ones that are in nowadays. It also doesn't offer much by way of volume, but rather darkening and lengthening the lashes, for a very natural finish. I do really like it though, because it's lengthening and not volumising, it doesn't clump!! Woohoo!

Stag Eyeliner  (Stag) and Naked Lipgloss (Sesso) swatches

I've never owned an eyeliner like Stag, ever. It's a deep black-brown shade, which I find really makes the blue in my eyes stand out, and is less harsh than black. I think I'll have to pick up more liners from the 24/7 Glide On range. They're wonderful. 

Finally, to finish your look, you'll be needing a lip colour. This is where the Naked lipgloss in Sesso comes in. a neutral pink with nude undertones and a moisturising glossy finish. I've never been a fan of nude eyes with a nude lip, but this has me well on the way to conversion. 

I would have no issue travelling for a week away with this palette, and just bring some extra lip colours, to change up each look. It's got everything you need to pack a very light makeup kit. If, like me, you tote a duffle around in preference to a suitcase, this is the palette for you!! 

Keep an eye out in the next while for a look using this palette! 

Amy

xoxo

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Christmas Wishlist Volume 1

I'm the first to admit that I'm the hardest person to please when it comes to gifts. I've very specific taste, I like a few things a whole lot, and a lot of things I hate. If people try to surprise me it usually doesn't go very well and if the person does succeed in surprising me, I have been driven to panic attacks and sleep disturbance because it plays on my mind so badly.

That's where this comes in. This is my Christmas wishlist, volume 1. I've picked 5 items I would adore, and am going to talk about them here.

The Beauty Blender

Kandee Johnson, Lindsey Hughes and Gigi never stop going on about this little sponge of flawlessness. I need one in my life, badly! 20-ish euro depending on where you get it. 

Urban Decay Naked Illuminate

This one is more of a Pre-Christmas item. I am obsessed with this highlighter for the festive season. It will be mine, by hook or by crook!! 29.00 in Debenhams

Katy Perry for Eylure Oh, Honey! Falsies

These are much more affordable on my list, catering to people like my dad who like to get something small to accompany the annual Penneys Giftcard. These are volumising, natural and reuable, what more would a girl want!! 8.50 in Boots Nationwide

Asics Gel Noosa Tri-9

AS a runner, I've been eyeing these for well over nine months. Seamless, suitable for running, cycling and wearing in the water, they're the ultimate shoe for comfort, support and traction. YUM! 149.99 from Asics (ish, luckily I've a friend who can get me them with his staff discount!)

Nicki Minaj Pink Friday Eau De Parfum

I've literally been coveting this since the sales of January past. It's perfection. Nicki, you know how to make a damn good scent girl!! 37.99 in Boots

What do you think of my first round of choices?? 

Drop me a comment and let me know!

Be sure to enter my Water Wipes Giveaway, if you haven't already!!

Amy

xxx

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Recommended to Red: Urban Decay Naked 3

Look at that tin!! 

Urban Decay are that brand of make-up that I am obsessed with, but also cannot justify spending a lot of money on. When you've bills to pay and a long distance relationship taking up your funds, you tend to gaze wistfully at while mumbling, "maybe at Christmas or for my birthday..."

Welp, no more!! I finally splashed out on the Naked 3, after reading review upon review, and watching countless video tutorials on YouTube, and oh boy, am I ever in love. 

I own and adore the Naked Basics, and while I was in Cork this past weekend, I found myself at the Urban Decay stand in Debenhams, debating on whether to buy the new Naked Basics 2 or the Naked 3, which I ordered last Christmas but got lost in the post. In my mind, I said, "Eff it, I'm worth it!!" and picked up the Naked 3. 

12 rosy-toned shadows, ranging from matte, to satin to glitter, encased in a beautiful, sturdy, rose gold tin. This beautiful palette comes with a double ended brush and four samples of the famed Urban Decay Primer Potion. 

To the left of the tin there are lighter shades: 
Strange; pearly pink-toned cream
Dust; rosy micro-glitter
Burnout; peachy-pink satin
Limit; light, pink toned brown/beige, matte finish

Then we have the Medium Shades:
Buzz; pink-tined brown shimmer
Trick; cool, rosy-copper
Nooner; medium pink-brown, matte.
Liar; rose-gold/mauve shimmer

The four Dark Shades
Factory; Pink/Brown satin finish
Mugshot; Metallic taupe with pink tones
Darkside: Deep taupe satin with mauve tones
Blackheart; Black with pinky red micro glitter


This palette has so many potential looks and uses, I cannot believe it took me ten months to get my hands on it. It's workable for day or night, any look from understated girly, to dramatic rock chick! 

You need this palette in your life, please don't leave it as long as I did!!

Amy 

xo

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#SBBC Day 2: Favorite Eye Palette

Hey guys! Today's topic is one of my favorites of the month, so lets jump in!

My favorite eye-palette, by far has got to be the Naked Basics palette. It is however, closely rivaled by the Accessorize Exposed Palette. I am a complete sucker for neutral shadow palettes, though...I own about 6 of them!

The Naked Basics may only have six shadows, five of which are matte, but you can do so much with it, I can't even explain. From understated day-time to dramatic night time, it can do it all! It also has a huge mirror built into it, which helps a lot when your touching up your look on the go.

The Exposed Palette, on the other hand, has 32 shadows, ranging from matte to shimmer to metallic, and are all amazingly pigmented. It does, however have a lot of fallout, a problem that I have never had with the Naked Basics.

There is a bit of a price difference between the two though, Urban Decays offering is €26.00, whereas the Exposed palette is £7.99 in Superdrug. I did check in Accessorize on Henry Street, but I couldn't find it.

Whats your favorite Eye Palette? Let me know, I'd be delighted to have some products to research!! 

June BBC Day 8: Beauty Wishlist

Everyone has one of these. I challenge you to find me one beauty blogger who doesn't have a list of products they would love to possess... Some of these will be mine soon enough, though, all going well!!

My wishlist goes like this.

Nails

China Glaze: The Capitol Collection

I LOVED the books, and I love the first movie, so combined with my love of nail polish, I would have to give this collection a mention.