Benefit - They're Real 'Push-Up' Liner | Review

Growing up I was such a 'Benebabe' and for a long time the majority of my makeup bag consisted of purely Benefit  but I grew out of it and for a long time I hadn't purchased anything new from them other than the cult product that is the 'They're Real' Mascara (which admittedly I am still not completely sold on).

Well today I'm here to talk to about the latest addition to the 'They're Real' family and ever since I clasped eyes on it, I knew I had to have it. God only knows why because I can't wing out my liner to save my life. None the less I bought into the hype. It launched here in Ireland on the 25th of June. I picked it up straight and have been familiarising myself with it ever since..

So what makes it different to other gel liners you ask? Well for starters it comes in a twist up pen as apposed to the typical pot meaning it won't dry out quickly, you only dispense what you need. The blacker than black gel is dispensed out through a soft, flexible, silicone nib. A nib so thin that it gets right up into your lash line, not only are you defining your eyes you're actually giving the illusion of fuller, thicker lashes!! 

The formula of the liner itself is a little drier than others I have tried in the past, now this is not a bad thing by any means especially if you, like me are somewhat of an amateur when it comes to winged liner.  The consistency is, in my opinion PERFECT! Not too thick, not too runny. Matte and Jet Black.

Like any new product, it does take a little getting used to but I'm getting there - slowly but surely. The nib is great for beginners too as you really do get a far crisper line with it, it also takes the hassle out of having to wash a liner brush (which we all know is torturous). 

Like it's predecessor, once this liner is on, it will not budge. I mean hail, rain, or snow. Sun, sweat or tears it is going nowhere. With the release of the liner so too came the release of an eye makeup remover in the form of the They're Real 'Strip-down' Waterproof eye makeup remover. I like what you did there Benefit, with the names!

Being so sucked into the hype surrounding the liner I picked up the remover too. It's pretty basic if you ask me, an emulsifier type remover. Apply it directly to the liner, and wipe away with a soaked cotton pad. It does the same as any oil-based makeup remover and at €19.50 it was a waste of money on my part. Oh well, you live and learn as they say..

As for the liner itself? The hype is REAL! If you're willing to part with €25 it is well worth investing in. It's also on sale from Cara Pharmacy online here at a reduced price of €20 currently in their sale! You can thank me later ;)

Gel Polish: Take it from someone who knows | My Experience

I have seen a lot of hate towards gel polish in the "Blogosphere" of late and I thought it was high time I shared my thoughts on the subject. I have been wearing gel polish with a little over a year and a half having given up on extensions which had left my nails paper thin and brittle. In the past twelve months I have experimented with Shellac, Gelish, OPI Gel colour, Axxium and Perfect Match - You name it, I've tried them all!

I get my nails done religiously every three weeks as a treat, only having the polish removed to be reapplied within minutes and I can honestly say, hand on my heart that the integrity of my natural nails has not been hindered or in any way compromised by the use of gel polish. If anything, I owe my long, strong nails to it. My nail growth is incredible, I have to get the length taken back at every appointment because tallons just aren't practical when working on a computer all day everyday.

Before blaming your weakened/damaged nails on gel polish. Ask yourself this? Did you have a branded polish applied? CND for example? Did the nail tech use an electric file or drill on your nails prior to application?(this is a big NO NO!) Did you have it removed properly in a Salon? Did you remove it yourself? Did you pick it off?

Gel Polish application whether it be Shellac or Gelish etc. on average costs about €25-€30. This cost is there because it takes about 40 minutes all in all to have it applied, they are using branded products and your nail technician is fully qualified. If you see a deal on Groupon or the likes for a €10 gel manicure, it may sound like a great bargain at the time but just think about what is being compromised on to give you such a great deal? Something has to give..

It should always be removed in a salon by a professional  where the gel seal is broken, acetone soaked cotton wool is applied to the nail and it is wrapped in foil to penetrate the acetone and aid with the breakdown of the gel. Once the nail is removed from the foil your polish should have lifted and come away with little or no help from the nail tech. The removal of the gel polish in the correct way ensures your nails are left in perfect condition - no damage!

My natural nails after gel polish removal and ready for the next application. (Excuse the dodgy quality of the photo it was taken on an iPhone)

Please excuse the photo spamming, I just wanted to give you an idea of the consistency of length, my nail growth etc. I am in no way telling you to give up on wet polish, or to go out and get a gel manicure. What I am saying, like everything in life - don't knock it til you've tried it.

I do still have an accident every once in a while where down to the klutz I am I break a nail, nothing that a silk wrap won't heal though! 

Not so long ago a silk wrap completely saved my nail having broken it half way down the nail bed right across almost, I had 2 wraps applied to it and over the course of  5 weeks it had grown out completely and most importantly.. I didn't loose it! Nail technician are life savers! 

April Favourites

Hello Lovelies,

Its hard to believe its May tomorrow isn't it? I'm back to you today with a Monthly Favourites. I haven't done one in a while purely out of lack of inspiration. I've tried a million new products since the start of the year and so many of them leave a lot to be desired and I wasn't going to post about February's "you'll do's".

April has been a somewhat more fruitful month where products are concerned, some are new, others are rediscovered gems. 

1. Wet n' Wild CoverAll Concealer Palette

As you all know, back in February Wet n' Wild launched in Ireland and the blogging world went nuts. I have to say I wasn't overwhelmed by the brand and still think there's a lot to be said for the more widely available Essence and Catrice where "drug store" brands are concerned. I did really enjoy the concealer palette though. You get 4 concealers in the colour corrector palette for €4.49. One to brighten, one to neutralize reddness, one to cover and a highlight. They are really creamy in consistency and the 'brighten' and 'cover' are the perfect shades for contouring and highlighting especially for day to day. They match my skin tone to perfection and I would go so far as to say I actually prefer them to my Crown Brush Contour palette. Definitely worth a go. It could however do without the icy silver "highlight" - its a bit gaudy in my opinion! 

2. Garnier Ultimate Blends The Silky 7-in-1 dry shampoo

For far too long us brunettes have been left out where dry shampoo is concerned, unless you were willing to fork out big bucks you'd never get to fully experience the joys of second or third day hair. Well you could but you'd run the risk of rocking grey roots down to the chalky residue left behind from the likes of Batiste. However garnier have come to the rescue with the release of their very own dry shampoo range and it is supurb- no residue whatsoever. I picked it up in the vanilla milk and it is fantastic. It would definitely give its higher end competitors a run for their money and the smell? OMG THE SMELL!!! 

3. Sleek i-Divine Vintage Romance eyeshadow Palette

I've had this palette for months and didn't really give it a chance until ths month. I'm a massive fan of Sleek as a brand, everything is so pigmented and such value for money and the eyeshadow palettes are no different, you get 12 shadows for €9.99. The colour payoff is second to none. I really don't know why I've overlooked the palette for so long, you can literally create a million different looks with this palette. This month I've been focusing my attention on adding a hint of colour to my smokey eye with the help of the gorgeous purple's in this palette. They really make my greeny blue eyes pop! Oh and talk about wanderlust with the fab names "Meet in Madrid", "Propose in Prague" "Marry in Monte Carlo" etc. It was limited addition when I purchased it, if you can get your hands on it at all - you need it!

4. Vichy Normaderm Tri Activ cleanser + scrub + mask

With the warmer weather on its way, I've noticed an my skin has started to become oily again so to avoid the inevitable break out due to excess oil production I dug out the old reliable and it is working a treat. This multitasking beauty contains both salicylic and glycolic acid both well known for treating acne along with Kaolin to fight imperfections and clay to dry out any impurities and excess oil. It is also soap, paraben and alcohol free making it perfect for anyone with sensitive skin. In a nutshell, if you suffer from oily, acne prone skin or hormonal break outs, this cleanser will quiet literally save your life. It is priced at appox €14 and available in chemists nationwide.

5. Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 220 'Showy Flamboyante'

I'm going to start off by saying that I think, maybe Revlon might be my favourite of the "drug store" brand. To date not one of their products has let me down and the foundation range for the paler than pale like me is just a dream come true. We're not talking foundation today though. We're talking lips and I am in love with these matte balms, throughout the month of April I have obsessing over the vibrant pink. What says spring has sprung better than big, bold, bright lips? Eh.. Nothing! They fact that it's matte makes it even more desirable in my eyes and I'm just so in love. Move out of the way MUA, you have been replaced. They consistency is just that of a balm and although the product does dry onto your lips, it isn't drying. The staying power is phenomenal and it doesn't flake away like some of the other Matte lip products. I have an orange shade knocking around my bedroom somewhere too and i'm looking forward to trying it out. 

But for know just look at the pink lip perfection that is 'Showy Flamboyante'. I've been using MAC's 'Magenta' lip liner to add a bit of depth and volume to my lips with it but it isn't necessary.

So there you have it, some of the products I have been loving through out the month of April. In honour of the 10th Anniversary I'm off to watch Mean Girls before bed! 

Whats been tickling your fancy of late? Any recommendations?

Rebecca x

The Body Shop Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter | Review

Late last year I was toying with the idea of investing in the Elemis Pro-collagen cleansing balm, however the thought of spending €57 to find that I didn't like the end result and leaving me with a substantial hole in my pocket was off putting to say the least. 

Eager to try a cleansing balm I took to twitter and the recommendations flooded in. One in particular peaked my interest and it was from none other than The Body Shop. Affordable and from a brand I rate really highly. 

I picked it up shortly after and have been using it ever since. 

Basically it is a 'synthetic wax' balm designed to remove all traces of your makeup, everything - including waterproof mascara. It is semi-solid in the tin. You simply scoop out a teeny, tiny bit (a little goes a really long way), warm it in your hands, massage it into your face and watch your makeup melt away effortlessly without tugging at the skin.

It says you can apply it and just rinse it off. However due to the oily consistency I would recommend using a muslin cloth or like me, a cleanse off mitt to ensure no residue is left behind. Especially those of you with particularly oily skin, I think you're just asking for trouble and it may be advisable to use it as a pre-cleanse or to remove the heavy make up. 

I have dry skin primarily, my t-zone can get quite oily and I would go as far as saying it is acne prone. I did fear that using a cleansing balm would break my skin out more than normal but to my surprise and delight it hasn't, in fact I would go so far as to say it has had the opposite effect. I think my skin has improved since I started using it, down to the fact that it removes all remnants of my makeup. 

Camomile is known for its calming properties, and camomile tea is recommended for those who struggle to sleep. I think the same can be said about the scent of this cleanser. It is such a nice scent to prep your skin for bed; light, fresh and really relaxing. It is also quite soothing and great to use on sore/irritated skin. 

I have toyed again recently with trying a higher end balm but as the saying goes.. If it ain't broke, don't fix it! It is priced at €15, substantially cheaper than its higher end competitors. This cleansing butter has become a skincare staple for me, I have had it for the bones of 4 months and I'm not even half way through my tin (90mls). If that isn't value for money, I really don't know what is..

It is available from The Body Shop Nationwide or you can pick it up online here.

Have you tried any cleansing balms before? What do you think of them? 

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 :)

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? 

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? 

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!

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 ;)

MUA Undress your skin Foundation | Review

Hello Lovelies,

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas and Santa brought you all you wished for. He was very kind this year and brought loads of goodies including the Naked 3 palette from Urban Decay. He had to traipse the streets of London including about a dozen Debenhams stores, eventually picking it up in Westfields, London - I must have been a very good girl this year ;) 

Today I come to you with a review of a foundation that I have fallen for. Head over heels. In LOVE. It is from MUA or Makeup Academy, a brand that I have known about for a while but never bothered to try out myself until recently. I took the plunge and made a sneaky order both for myself and I also picked up a few stocking stuffers for my two younger sisters. MUA is cheap, ridiculously cheap. I filled my basket with bits (17 things to be precise) and including delivery priced at €5.92 it totaled €50.49. Not bad eh? 

Anyway the foundation itself is from their 'Undress Your Skin' range. Double points for anyone who can tell me what they are duping here!? 

Thats right.. Its the Urban Decay 'Naked' Collection. 

What it claims:  

"Covers imperfections and blemishes whilst maintaining your skins natural glow with light-diffusing particles of shimmer that creates instant radiance."

What you get: 

A lightweight, medium coverage foundation that leaves you with a really subtle, healthy glow. When I heard 'shimmer' I was a bit put off as I know from experience a lot of the "drugstore"/ chemist brands tend to take 'shimmer' to the extreme and you can end up looking like a disco ball. Not the case with this foundation at all. It really is light-diffusing.

 I have tried the UD Naked Skin BB myself and found that like a lot of other BB creams it clung onto the dry patches on my face. This is not the case here, it glides over the dry skin and does not flake away throughout the day either. As for oily skin? Shimmer? I know its not normally recommended and that a matte finish tends to suit oily skin better. Well if you follow me on twitter you will know that of late, I don't know how or why but my normally uber dry skin is quite oily in places. My T-zone, my forehead in particular. I just pat on some of my Maybelline 'Fit Me' pressed powder and it does not budge. 

It is normally priced at €5.98 but is actually on offer at the moment for €3.59 and is available here . How do I know this? I may or may not be in the process of placing another order. You do need to take shipping at almost €6 into consideration when ordering, however realistically it still works out cheaper than a lot of your chemist brands like Maybelline and L'oreal and a damn sight cheaper than the "REAL DEAL".

The packaging isn't anything to write home about, it comes in a basic squeezy tube, its stripped back to save on costs with isn't a bad thing as those savings are then passed onto you. And you don't have to pay €5 for a pump for a bottle of foundation you just paid €30 either - added bonus!

My one and only qualm, if you'd even call it that is the lack of shades, it comes in 3. Porcelain, Beige and Golden. I picked up the shade 'Beige' and it is perfect for me when I'm without fake tan. I was in complete shock as I can only imagine how light porcelain is if I'm Beige. So its not even a complaint on my part, its about time the fair skinned ladies were seen after if you ask me! 

Also I'd like to mention the speedy shipping. I received my order in 4 working days, which I might add is a hell of a lot quicker than other companies I have ordered from in the past especially considering they are coming from the UK.

Anyway ladies, dinner is calling. The one and only time you won't hear me complaining about leftovers. I hope you all have a great St. Stephens night and if you're headed out don't forget your jacket and your brolli and your rain poncho and your wellies its meant to be a bad one! 

Have you tried any MUA products before?