Friday, January 31, 2014

Haircare | Favourites

Hello Lovelies,

Can you believe we've reached the end of January already? This month absolutely flew. It feels like I have done absolutely nothing all month, which isn't necessarily true. It has definitely been a month of change for me anyway..

As many of you know I took the plunge early this month and chopped up all my hair into a "Lob" (Long Bob), getting rid of approximately 8 inches of it. For me it was a particularly big decision as I suffer from Alopecia brought on by stress mainly but there is a hereditary aspect to it too. For girls especially alopecia can be quite traumatic and I can't tell you how heartbroken I have been as a result of a "bad" haircut in the past. How shallow do I sound? 

I have to say a big Thank You to Olga in 'A Cut Above', Clonakilty for the amazing job she did. I really couldn't be any happier with it - It's exactly what I wanted! 



Because of this change I have invested more time than usual on hair care products  and I've decided to share a few of my favourite hair care products with you. So without further ado here is my January Hair Care Favourites.

Redken 'All Soft' Shampoo and Conditioner - approximately €30 per set available from feelunique
Yes, they are expensive and they are not something I would pick up for myself but they were a gift from my Gorgeous Godmother for Christmas. They are so luxurious and they make my hair feel incredibly smooth and sleek and the shine is like nothing I've ever experienced before. They are quite rich though, the conditioner especially. It is so thick, it's like an intensive treatment for my hair. I have noticed that over using these two can make my hair look almost greasy so I use them once every week to ten days.

In between washing with my Redken set I've been using L'oreal Elvive's new 'Fibrology' Shampoo and Conditioner. 


They are priced at approximately €5 each
These are L'oreal's latest and greatest in hair care magic containing Filloxane which expands the hair fibre. Not only did it leave my hair looking and feeling thick and healthy. It didn't weigh down my hair and left it full of body and bounce. Can you see the appeal yet? To top it all off it smells like blue raspberry bon-bons. LOVE <3 font="" nbsp="">


Carino Miracle Oil with Argan Oil - €5 approx 
I love hair oil and have a couple of different ones on the go at the moment. One I have really taken a shine to (pun intended) is this one from the Aldi brand Carino. I rub a drop or two between my palms and pull my fingers through the my hair avoiding the roots and paying special attention to the end after blow drying it. It leaves my hair silky smooth and frizz free AND it smells really good too.


Mane n' Tail Detangler - €12
I'm pretty lucky when it comes the tangly hair as I rarely suffer from it, however when I do I reach for this bad boy and will recommend it no end, especially to those of you with fine hair. Spritz it all over wet hair, comb it through and dry s normal. No more knots!! 


Batiste XXL Plumping Powder - €4
I picked this up a couple of months ago in Penneys but didn't get around to trying it until recently. I don't like to backcomb my hair a lot as it can break your hair but I do love me some volume at the root. This is foolproof and creates as much oomph as you like. They texture won't appeal to everyone but who cares what their hair feels like as long as it looks good? Not me! 


Babyliss Big Hair -  €59.99 available from Boots
I cannot finish this post without mentioning my hair care saviour. I literally don't know what I'd do or how I ever survived without this beauty. I've reviewed it here in more detail. I cannot dry my hair without running this through it a few times to finish even more so now that I have short hair. It adds volume and bounce and just makes me wanna *swish*


So there you have it, just a few of my haircare must haves. Do you use any of them or have you any product recommendations for my new shorter hair? Leave them in the comments below and I'll be sure to check them out! 

Rebecca x

Ps: I'll have my January favourites post up in the next few days :)

Sunday, January 19, 2014

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer | Review



Hello Lovelies,

I hope you're all having a great weekend. Sunday is definitely my favourite day of the week, one spent trialling new products and researching online. Today I come to you with a review of one of my stand out products of 2013. It comes in the form of the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers.

Matte is like the beauty equivalent of marmite - you'll either love or you'll hate it. Personally I am a huge fan of the trend having rocked a matte gel manicure on more than one occasion. It was massive for A/W 13' and everyone wanted the perfect velvet complexion. 


I spotted these beauties on the MUA site when I was making my first purchase. My immediate thought was they were an identical dupe for the Lime Crime 'Velvetines' a product I had been lusting after for months. Unfortunately for us Lime Crime is not available in Ireland. At £3 each I just couldn't leave them behind. I picked up 2 shades.


Left is 'Reckless' and Right is 'Atomic'

 'Reckless' which is the perfect blood red with blue undertones which instantly makes your teeth look whiter and brighter. It has been my go to lip product over the festive season. I have rocked it at every given opportunity. 



'Atomic' was the second shade I picked up. On the online swatch it looked corally and I immediately thought of summer. On actual application it is a vivid orange which is even better. I LOVE it and cannot wait to rock it with a tan this summer.


They are uber pigmented and look so good on. You simply apply the with the doe foot applicator like you would with any other gloss, smack your lips to insure the product doesn't gather in places and leave it dry for a second and you're good to go.

What I will say about them is that they are not the product to wear if you're planning on a 4-course meal as excessive moisture will lead to the product crumbling on your lips. However if it a few drinks with the girls you're planning you won't need to reapply it any more than you would with regular lipstick or gloss.

Of course you can get the equivalent from the higher end of the market. Giorgio Armani's 'Lip Maestro' lip lacquer for example. However, I don't see the point in spending 7-8 times the price of the MUA version for the same end result. Do you? 

I am so obsessed with these little beauties, so much so I'll be purchasing the remaining 3 shades. They are available to buy here at £3 a piece. 

Are you pro or against matte? 




Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Cleanse off Mitt | Review*

As a beauty blogger I am lucky enough to get the opportunity to try lots of new and exciting things. Most of which I to pay for myself but some are sent to me as PR samples. Today's review is of the 'Cleanse off Mitt'. I was sent this to try out before it launches later this month.



I have to say it is one of the products that I was and still am very excited to receive. I have very temperamental skin at the best of times. It is dry, acne prone and of late it has a tendency to get quite oily in my T-zone. (some of us just have all the luck don't we?)
As I mentioned in previous posts I am not massively concerned about what goes on my body however as my face is so sensitive I am a little more cautious with what I use on it and wipes are a big no, no!

For many face wipes are a beauty essential. While they may be convenient, these moist cloths are chemically-laden and so they have to be to last up to 18 months on the shelf. This requires ingredients such as Propylene Glycol and Phenoxyethanol. Both of which are skin irritants. As well as being irritating, high levels of alcohol and anti-bacterial agents can cause extreme dryness and PREMATURE AGING of the skin. Moral of the story? Wipes are bad!

The 'Cleanse off Mitt' however is different. It is a microfiber mitt designed to remove any and all traces of makeup and day to day grime without the need to use a cleanser. Just add warm water and wipe clean.

The microfibers are so teeny tiny that they can work even the heaviest of makeup (including mascara) off without irritating the skin making it especially good for those off us with sensitive skin. The tiny microfibers also make the mitt really soft - I'd urge anyone who uses a muslin or flannel to try the Cleanse off Mitt. It's softer!




I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how well this little blue beauty worked. Without anything only water it took off all of my makeup including gel eyeliner and mascara. My skin felt fresh and clean afterwards, it wasn't red and irritated nor did it feel tight like it does after using some products.




On days where I am not wearing makeup I tend to be more laxidaisy about my skincare routine. I wash it morning and night but don't pay much attention to what i'm cleaning. The cleanse off mitt left nothing to my imagination and I could see the mitt was slightly discoloured from grime my face had picked up throughout the day. My skin looked brighter afterwards, radiant if you will. As a result, my bad skin days didn't seem so bad!

I could go on all day listing the pro's of this product but I'm pretty sure I'd bore you all to death so here are a quick few:
  • The Cleanse off Mitt is chemical free
  • It is reusable. It has a lifespan of 3-6 months.
  • It is ideal for travelling - perfect for freshening up on the plane (and no liquid restriction with it)
  • It won't irritate sensitive skin or those suffering from psoriasis, acne, rosecea etc.
  • It is cost effective (see below for my an example of my crazy maths skills)
  • It is perfect for people on the go, moms especially!!
  • Perfect for wipe users. It is as quick and gives a better cleanse
  • It is cheaper than its market competitor which is priced at €22 (Cleanse off Mitt is €5)
  • It can be used along side your favourite cleanser


Cost Efficiency:

The Mitt lasts on average 3-6months. So say your mitt lasts for 3 months, I got my thinking cap on and did some maths out of curiosity. How much on average could you save by binning the wipes?
  Say you have 3 x 30 day months. You use 2 wipes a day. That’s 60 wipes a month. A total of 180 wipes in the 3 months.  The most popular face wipe brands; Nivea, simple, garnier etc. are priced on average at €4 per packet of 25.
180/25 = 7.2 (round that down) Say you use 7 packets of wipes in the 3 month period.
At €4 per packet that totals €28.
The Cleanse off mitt costs €5 and is available from Beauty Emporium and will be available in pharmacies and shops in the coming weeks.

So by binning the wipes you will save on average €23 in 3 months. I can think of plenty better things to spend it on that wipes. Can you? 




Friday, January 3, 2014

Cocoa Brown Chocolate Whip Body Moisturiser | Review

Well hello there 2014!!

We've survived Christmas and New Years and here we are in January all bright eyed and bushy tailed and ready to take on the world! Resolutions are in full swing for everyone, myself included. One of those being to give my lovely little blog some TLC. My bloglovin account especially as I have completely neglected it. It's so handy and I use it all the time to keep up to date with the blogs I read myself as all the blogs are in one place. Here is the link to my account and I'd love for you to click the little follow button!

Anyway, enough about all that. I come to you today with a little review and surprise, surprise it's a Cocoa Brown related one. As some of you may know, late last year the Cocoa Brown Empire released a brand new product. An oil-free moisturiser designed to be used in conjunction to your tanning. Both in prepping your skin for your tan application and in prolonging the lifespan of your tan. 



I didn't know what to expect when I heard it was called "Chocolate Whip", I presumed it would smell like Cocoa Butter which I personally am not a fan of. It doesn't. Instead it has the 'typical' Cocoa Brown scent -Tahitian Gardenia with just a hint of chocolatey goodness. The second surprise was the colour of the moisturiser, its brown. I can remember thinking "Is this tinted?". It isn't, but you'd never know whats in the pipeline..



The product itself feels so luxurious and I have to say it has been an absolute godsend throughout the festive season. I have spent the month of December applying and reapplying tan for one event or another and we all know how cold it has been. Nobody wants to sit around in the cold waiting for their moisturiser to soak in so they can get dressed. This stuff sinks right in and doesn't leave you feeling greasy or sticky under your clothes. 

It left my skin feeling soft and supple and because there is no oil in it, you can moisturise to your hearts content without having to worry about your tan breaking down. There was a noticeable difference in the longevity of my tan - another bonus in this cold weather! The Vitamin E and Panthenol are like a skin care dream team. Panthenol makes the moisturiser suitable for even the most acne prone skin, while the Vitamin E works wonders at reducing the appearance of scars and stretchmarks, it also protects the skin from the damaging environment elements. 

Call me biased but it's another winner for me. Don't believe me? Try it out for yourself. It's available in Penneys for a mere €7 or internationally on feelunique.com with FREE shipping!

The Cocoa Brown Empire are set to release 3 new products in 2014. I cannot wait to see what Marissa  and the Cocoa Brown team have in store for us all. They are literally taking the tanning world by storm!

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

December favourites

So it's that time again.. Monthly favourites time! To say December has been hectic is an understatement.. Between last minute Christmas shopping, family reunions (my aunts return from Oz) and Christmas itself. It has been a whirlwind of fun, food and festivities. 

Santa was extremely generous this year and I received some beauty bits that I have been lusting after with quite some time. Undoubtedly many of these will make an appearance in my January favourites if they haven't been reviewed in the mean time. I cannot wait to delve into them all! 

But for now. Here are a few bits I have been absolutely loving throughout the month of December.


The Body Shop 'Ginger Sparkle' Collection - €18.99 (for the set)
I have never been one for the typical spicy/cinnamon winter scents. But this? This caught my attention immediately. I mean.. How cute is the tin? Not only is the tin cute but the products themselves smell ah-mazing! Such a comforting scent. There really is nothing better than lathering on the body butter after a hot shower, putting on some cozy Jammie's and curling up in front of the fire with a good book and a tin of sweets - sheer perfection! I could see myself using this collection all year round.


MUA Cosmetics - Undress your skin foundation in the shade 'Beige' - €6.02
Now I know I have only reviewed this foundation recently but I couldn't not include it my monthly favourites as it has been my go-to foundation all month long and In all honesty it has hardly left my face. For something so ridiculously cheap it has been such an investment buy! I'm in L-O-V-E!! You can read my full review here


MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer in 'Reckless' - €3.61
Continuing on with the same brand and another product I have reached for at every given opportunity is this little beauty. It is two of my favourite things combined. The classic red lip, mattified. I have worn it to all my Christmas parties and have even rocked it around the house in my pjs. I also picked it up in the shade 'atomic' an orangey red colour. I have a feeling I'll be going back for the rest of them. Reviewed here or check out my Instagram for some snaps of it on.


Real Techniques Expert Face Brush - €10.50
THIS!! Omg this brush. If it was humanly possible to be in love with an inanimate object, then it would be mad, passionate, hopeless love. It has knocked my Sigma, Mac and Laura Mercier out of the ball park. The combination of this and my Undress Your Skin Foundation, or any foundation for that matter work flawlessly together. I'm so obsessed that I'm seriously considering investing in a second one. The brush is only €10.50 but my god is it hard to get a hold of. If you do spot it when you are out and about I urge you to pick it up. You won't be disappointed!!

 
Rimmel Color Rush Balm in 'Drive me Nude' - €7.99
Now as much as I love my matte red lips, they aren't the most wearable. I think I'd get more than one strange look if I was rocking it in my local Supervalu picking up the messages. So this has been my alternative. It is Rimmels take on the chubby stick, all of the high street brands have brought them out of late and I have been on the hunt for a day to day nude shade that isn't drying. This has been perfect! Although I'm not a fan of a glossy finish normally, this isn't sticky at all and it is extremely moisturising which is exactly what we all need with the weather we're having at the moment.


Cocoa Brown's Chocolate Whip Oil-free Moisturiser - €7
Well here's a suprise. NOT! Cocoa Brown's Chocolate Whip Oil-free Moisturiser is next up on my list of favourites this month. Early in December I headed to Dublin to Celebrate the first birthday of the brand and I was not leaving Dublin without it. I had searched high and low here in Cork to get my hands on it and it was like gold dust. It has been a beauty staple for the month of december as I have been tanning more or less constantly throughout December and it really does extend the life span of your tan. It smells divine, edible almost. It is really thick and so luxurious to apply and soaks in almost instantly which is a must with the cold weather as after showering these days you really cannot get dressed fast enough. Full review to come.


Sleek Makeup Blusher in 'Suede' - €5.49
I know, two months in a row and two different Sleek Blushers. This month I have been absolutely loving 'Suede'. It is a light matte brown which I have previously used as a contour powder if I'm not sporting any fake tan. This month however I've been using it for its intended purpose, a blusher. I've been keeping my face and lips quite neutral over the past few weeks while rocking a smoky eye and this blush colour is works a treat. I'm naturally ghostly white and I do not fake tan my face so this colour is perfect. it adds warmth to the face without you looking flushed. I have reviewed it here previously.

So there you have just a few of my favourites for the month of December. I have really gotten into skin care this past month and have a few bits to share with you so I've decided to dedicate a separate post entirely to that. It includes a very exciting new product which will be on sale early in 2014! 

Last but by no means least I'd just like to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2014! And just a thank you for all your continued support with the blog from the start. I can't believe I'm heading for 600 Facebook likes. 2014 can only bring bigger and better things with it!


Just a reminder to myself to blog more.. Ryan Gosling is reading ;)





Blogger Template by pipdig