O! WOW from LV ESSENTIALS

Now I'm not a brush-a-holic like the real beauty bloggers... I've been given make up brushes as gifts and a lot of the time I'm looking at them wondering what they're for! I have a few chosen ones, I love my Eco Tools foundation brush and my Flawless foundation and shading brushes are my trusted old friends ... 

I also stick with my fingers, blending professionals after all these years... but I was asked to try the O! WOW brush by Cailyn and it ain't like the others gals... it's ridiculously soft, doesn't leave strikes and works with ALL the creams... BB, powder, liquid foundation... all of em... it's the perfect mix between the standard 'flat' foundation brush and the newer 'round' buffing brushes... The bristles are tightly packed so it feels like velvet when you run your fingers over them... I'm always dubious when products make massive claims but it really gives a flawless finish... I used it with my tinted moisturiser and it blended it perfectly... 

Next up... idefine liquid eyeliner... If your a wingtip gal at the weekends, or just for putting out the bins... this is brilliant... it's small but perfectly formed and so easy to control! You know what I mean! The pigment is dense and jet black... I mean JET black!! I'm all about the slick eyeliner in the summer with a brush of colour... so I'm looking forward to using this lots!

Last up the BB compact... This is the 'not-gonna-spill-in-your-bag-ever!' BB cream... it dispenses the right out with a press of a button... the coverage was good and the finish quite matt so you'll need to add a hint of high lighter to give you a bit of glow... but the compact itself is lovely, great little mirror and the way it dispenses means you're not going to be binning any of it...

LV ESSENTIALS is 100% Irish owned and operated, and growing its product list all the time... check them out online >>> HERE <<<

How much? 
O! Wow Brush €29.99
BB Fluid Compact €29.99
BB Fluid Refill €22.99
Idefine Liner €15.99

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Spring has sprung...

I've been spring cleaning for the last few weekends... *raises hand* YES I could be on 'HOARDERS' in a few years time if I didn't do this regularly! I'm emotionally attached to EVERYTHING... but life has been bit rough in the last few months and whilst trying to remain chirpy and smiley I realised I needed to just get rid of 'stuff' ... unnecessary things  that I don't need, nor do they serve any purpose in my life anymore and even things that just make me feel rubbish about being me... 

... Most of these were in the 'what were you thinking?!' pile ...

I took it logically... drawer by drawer... not to get overwhelmed by it all or else I'd throw in the Mr. Sheen and forget about it... and the make-up clear out has been AWESOME! Honestly I even had a pile called 'You're not 18 anymore honey... give it up!' 

So with the clear out, all half opened bottles that were 'gone off', don't ask, were dumped, I found myself needing some bright, pretty skincare stuff for spring! Hello Nivea! 

Now I'm a Nivea champion... I LOVE their suncream, and their skincare range is SO good... no fancy smelling, overly priced nonsense... just good products that are available everywhere and they work! It's the most popular skincare range in Ireland, so I'm not alone in championing this stuff... We all love a fancy pants bottle on the shelf but if it doesn't do the job you just want your money back! 

Their latest stuff looks bright and fresh too... 

First up ... the night cream... I'm in that age bracket now that NEEDS the words 'anti-wrinkle' on every product ... So their new Q10 plus anti-wrinkle night cream does the business... it's not thick and greasy.. and you don't wake up feeling like your face is stuck to the pillow... it's neutral scent means you're not awake wondering why the world smells of lavender after midnight whilst you watch the clock... a must have for €12.59 if you're a night cream fan!  

The day creme is brilliant too ... this does have a slight scent but it's not overpowering and it gives you a 'lift' if that makes sense... Here's the science bit... Q10 is a co enzyme that is already in your skin naturally, as you get older, your natural levels decrease, so this replenishes those enzymes keeping the wrinkles AWAY! Thank you very much Nivea! This retails at €11.80

Now... to my fav! 'Q10 Plus Anti-wrinkle serum pearls'... a gimmick?! not on your nelly! This serum is brilliant... little balls of high intensity serum suspended in an intense hydro gel moisturiser! I know! Q10 Plus = the highest dose of Q10 enzyme around, so it's fighting full on against the wrinkle monsters! It's very light, so don't think of it as a heavy 'syrupy' kinda serum... great as a base for make up... and DON'T forget your neck ladies... it's all well and good looking 'fresh' in the old folks home but wearing scarves to hide the turkey neck! I've been using this for two weeks now and my skin is feeling great... best thing... ALL of this range is suitable for sensitive skin... it retails for €14.99 which to be honest is a bargain for what it does... if you only get one thing of the range my advice would be pick this! 

Lastly the eye cream... yup, time to blitz those 'laughter lines!' ahem ... This may look small but it packs a punch... not only does it work on the 'alleged' wrinkles... but it also is great for toning down those the dark circles... a few pats under the eye morning and evening, you will see a difference... and for €11.79 you'll find it lasts AGES... so worth the investment...   

Spring has sprung, as they say and we all want to stay looking like spring chickens... I would highly recommend the serum pearls... just think how fab we'll all look in the old folks home!  

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Be a PORE fessional!

So remember Blue Monday?! the most depressing day of the year? Well wouldn't you know that it would be the day I'd win something! For all the competitions I enter I rarely win anything.. my mum wins stuff ALL the time.. sigh... still I won The POREfessional range from Benefit courtesy of Cara Pharmacy! YAY! 

The goodies arrived and seriously, look at the dinky clock... and it works! Scared the life out of me the first morning I set it! Never underestimate the size of a clock and the sound it can belt out! 

Also in the goodie bag was Benefits POREfessional balm, which minimises pores, which wasn't really for me to be honest and Agent Zero Shine which is definitely more my kinda thing... I've STILL got that stupid T-zone after ALL these years and a shiny face is a regular problem, not because I'm breaking a sweat mind, but I really liked this stuff! The POREfessional balm (below) really smooths out your skin... so if I was stuck for a primer it's perfect... and at 22ml, it's a prefect travel size, so into the travel bag it goes! 

It's quite pale, I have sallow skin so it looks very peachy but it blends to a neutral tint on your skin so no fear of a colour clashes ...  

Agent Zero Shine makes shine 'vanish!' and it vanished on me... 

You pull out all the bits like so...

Twist the top...  

Tap the product into the lid...  

And make the shine disappear using the little blusher brush hidden in the bottom! 

Sweet! If you've got the dreaded T-zone or shine up easily... check it out! 

And for online bargains with all the good brands check out Cara Pharmacy online 
>> HERE <<  Free Delivery over €50 ... Top Tip - get the boy online for Valentines day! 

I'm off to make my shiny snout VANISH ... *puff of smoke* 

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Rehydrate - part two...

The wind... geez the wind!!! Hibernation is the trend at the moment... it's miserable out there... but with heating on, fires lighting and the fan turned up to defrost the car its important to rehydrate... yes, your 8 glasses of water and that's hard enough to keep up...  but your body and skin need a loving too! Here's some of my picks to get you through to spring... 

Me Me Me - Seventh Heaven Enriched Moisturising Facebase is perfect when you're not leaving the house for the day or not going to face the general public! You know those days when it's laundry, a walk, catch up on TV and general faffing about... or like me your work from home and only the postman need to get a fright! Well, this stuff is perfect for those days...  It's got that rich feeling to it without being heavy or feeling greasy... It's made with shea butter, Vitamin A and Beta Carotene to hydrate and nourish ... AND even if you are going out in the big bad world, leave it a few minutes to soak in and work its magic, it's a great primer base plus it smells SO good... citrusy, officially it lemon, orange, lime and mandarin ... but your face feels really fresh once its on with no irritation! It's got a real springtime vibe about it! 

I got mine in Superdrug but its also available online for €18.99 >>> HERE <<<

Elizabeth Arden products are cult products for a reason and if you do suffer with dry lips this product is the business... This has a vaseline type feel to it but its more... buttery?! if you know what I mean? It doesn't have that greasy finish to it but it definitely puts a 'seal' over your lips... great to lash on before bed,... the scent is eucalyptus and honey which sounds a bit medicinal its not over powering at all... it comes in a 'lipstick' form in Boots for €22 too but seek out these tins for €7.90! I got mine at the check out in Dublin airport but they can be found at the beauty counters too... Bargain! Doubles up as a fab cream for your cuticles and to tame your eyebrows! WINNING!

Freeze 24•7 Skin Blizzard Intensive Hydrating Facial Serum is the bees knees! One drop of this stuff rubbed in the palm of your hands and instantly your face feels nourished and like new! And with all the central heating, fires, fans in the car you're skin can feel really dry and tight but this serum is like a light relief! You literally only need a tiny drop once a day to keep your skin in check... don't forget your neck! It's pricey at €72 in Debenhams but it'll last you AGES, and your skin will feel amazing... put it on your list instead of Mothers day Choccies and an Easter Egg...  the range is often discounted in TK MAXX too, keep your eye's peeled for it... 

For your hands ... my two favs are Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme from Burt Bees, which smells divine... this one is thick with the same texture as butter, so it's one to put on before you go to bed and you'll wake up with super soft paws! There's a 'banana' version as well if almonds aren't your thing... you can purchase these in Holland & Barrett, Boots and all the usual spots for approx €10 but it will last you ages! Think of how many chocolate bars that is! 

The other is Whipped Hand Cream from L'Occitane at €10.50 is a bit pricey but its 25% shea butter, so it's got all the good feels on your hands without any strong scent, especially in this kind of weather! You can buy it online >>> HERE <<< or in any of their stores...

Again for those days when you don't need a full face of slap... Bright Here Bright Now from Soap & Glory is a lovely light moisturiser that will give you a lil glow without all the shine and glitter, AND you can mix this in with your foundation to give you that luminous' look... Think along the lines of Benefit - That Gal ... you know the way your winter foundation doesn't work in summer? well try a blob of this and mix it through your foundation and it works a charm to get you through springtime!  €15 in Boots worth it too!

Not forgetting your lovely locks especially after all the GHD and hair dryers over the festive season... L'oread Elvive Extraordinary Oil is perfick for those of us with long hair ... again you only need a couple of drops to keep the dry ends away... You can add it before you shampoo to protect your colour, during styling to protect it from the heat.. or a drop rubbed between your hands once your done to finish your style off with a glossy shine! Again this smells gorgeous... and the bottle will last you AGES! €12 in Boots but it varies so shop around! 

For a good body lotion that you can lash on, Vaseline are one of the best out there and the variety in their range means there's something for everyone... I'm a huge fan of the Spray and Go moisturiser after the pool... no faffing with bottles and especially after a dip in chlorine you're skin feels great.. but their body lotions and gels are just as good.. The lotion is fab to lash on or the body gel which will give your skin a nice sheen for the money, AND you're getting a fab moisture kick to your skin... I'm a cocoa junkie, I just love smelling like holidays but there's aloe vera, oat extract (which doesn't smell like porridge!) and just plain old lotion if perfumed stuff isn't your thing... 

Shop around in your local pharmacy for these... Approx. €6.99 in Boots

Now DON'T forget your tootsies! Seriously, I know we're all still in boots and fluffy socks but before you know it, you'll have to get 'em out and no one wants to face dry cracked skin on your piggies... so two products I use all the time are Gorgeous Feet from Boots with its SUPER hydrating, lash it on once you're in bed and it'll work its magic overnight! €4.49 (They've updated the packing since I bought this but its in the 'Make-My-Feet-Pretty' area! 

And below... well you can't go wrong with Palmers Cocoa Butter in any shape or form but this Peppermint and Mango (don't knock it till you try it!) Foot Magic is actually MAGIC! and only €3-ish absolute bargain! 

Rug up and keep hydrating! It'll be flip flop time before we know it! 

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Beauty time... iS facial

You know that moment when you think to yourself... 'no more messing... I've got to start looking after my skin properly!' Well a while ago I had THAT moment... I've always been very good at the old  'cleanse, tone and moisturise' and I could open a shop with all the face packs I have... and whilst it's lovely to sit in the bath and wallow in a chocolate flavoured mud mask like a hippo... you need to invest in some skincare that will actually WORK in your favour... 

Months ago, I went for a Dermalogica Facial, and it was one of the best investments I've made in a long time... I have very sensitive skin, rosy cheeks and the ridiculous 'T-zone' that's suppose to be reserved for teenagers, so I get spots and dry patches too, so its ALL fun and games... After a series of 5 of these and knowing what products I should be using, the dry patches are gone and my skin is in much better condition... 

When my fav beauty-therapist-guru Amy suggested I should try the 'iS Fire & Ice medi-facial' by iS Clinical, I was all over it... This is the one that Halle Berry has all the time! 

iS stands for Innovative Skincare and it really is... this stuff works on your skin.. you can feel it working even days after... and it isn't a long luxurious facial, where you get a shoulder rub and you're left to have a lil nap with soothing music... these products are at the clinical end of skincare products so they're working for their money and you can see the results pretty much instantly ... The 'Fire & Ice Facial' is a re-surfacing peel, as close as you'll get to a chemical peel without sitting in the dark, scaring small children and we all remember this...

But fear not ... this does the same job and you only look a little flushed after it! 

So, it goes like this... 

Cleanse - The cleansing complex has a gentle exfoliant in it to get rid of all the make up and residues on your face... it's also got salicylic acid in it too, so it starts off the 'anti ageing' buzz on your skin... 

Then... the 'FIRE' part... The Intensive Resurfacing Masque (on the left) ... This is like a warm tingly cinnamon bun on your face... you can feel it working instantly and it smells like a Christmas candle! Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, your therapist will know how long to leave it for... I had it on for 3 minutes exactly, being in the 'rosy cheeked sensitive' club... it was actually very pleasant... but what I really liked was I could feel it working...  

This is followed by the 'ICE' part, in the form of the Rejuvenating Masque (on the right) which is AWESOME... it's got aloe vera, green tea, grape seed extract and again it's all natural ingredients... it's SO cooling and refreshing... again it was only on my skin for a few minutes before the after care products, which will again depend on your skin type... 

As it's tailored to each individual, the Pro-Heal Serum was the one for me... this product has been the game changer if I'm honest, over the following 4/5 days a few drops of this absorbed into my skin has made a huge difference especially to the rosacea... It has never been exceptionally bad but after my two weeks in the sun even with my SPF 50 on my face it was rearing it rosy head again with the autumn winds kicking in... After a couple of days this had calmed it right down... 

and finally the Extreme Protect SPF 30 and you all know how I rant on about SPFs! 

Now, there are other products in the range for different skin types, there's Hydra-cool serum for dehydrated skin and acne, Super serum which is more anti ageing and focused on fine lines and wrinkles... and loads more... but your therapist will be know what your skin needs best... 

The best part of these for me, having sensitive skin, is they are made with all natural ingredients, so you're not going to have a mad reaction to anything! The main ingredient in the Resurfacing Masque (the fire one) is sugar cane, which is a natural source of glycolic acid! Who knew?! I'm all about reading ingredients and now its on face creams! 

There's loads of products in the range, the 'Fire & Ice facial' is one of the more popular ones with celebs and, get this, it's the best selling treatment in the Four Seasons in Beverly Hills! I KNOW!! Move over Halle Berry! 

I know I'm not a beauty blogger but sometimes you come across something that's not weight related and just makes you feel good and a week on, my skin is STILL looking better every day! People are saying the holiday did me the world of good but they'll never know! 

Vanity Rooms have also put together a little mini 'after care' bag of products after the first facial for a reduced cost...  the full size products are expensive... it's a fab way to try them out without spending lots of money on something that might not be for you... 

The iS range of treatments isn't available everywhere so you'll need to have a google, I'm lucky enough be close enough to Vanity Rooms in Stepaside where it is available... All the products are on sale there and they'll only give you the best advice for you and your skins needs... 

Check their facials >>> HERE <<<

There's no better feeling when you feel good about yourself... and if your skin is something you constantly struggle with then it's worth investing the time and energy to get it sorted... it really can be something very small thats irritating it and it can be sorted out so easily with the right products ... 

With the Christmas Challenge kicking off this week, people will start asking over the coming weeks what presents you want, this will be on my list for Santa! If it's not your kinda thing, I would highly recommend the Dermalogia facials, which just leave your skin feeling SO good... (AND you do get a lil nap and soothing music) so pens out ... Dear Santa...  

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