Ziaja Manuka Tree purifying range| Review*

A while back I was kindly sent some products from the Polish brand Ziaja's newest skincare collection. The Manuka Tree Purifying range, designed for oily/combination. There are 5 products in total; a day cream, a night cream, a cleanser, an astringent toner and a peeling paste. I have quite dry/dehydrated skin for the most part but put them to the test regardless. Here are my thoughts on the 3 products I received..

Manuka Tree normalising day cream - €6.99

This is a nice, light moisturiser for during the day and while it is designed for oily/combination skin, I was surprised by just how moisturising it actually was - I didn't feel like I needed anything extra. I don't suffer from excessively oily skin so can't really comment on its oil control claims, however what I will say is that because it is a mattifying moisturiser, it makes for a perfect foundation base. I don't have any makeup creasing around my nose and chin that I normally would have after 6-8 hours wear. It's kind of like a moisturising primer which is perfect for those early mornings!

Manuka Tree Gentle Exfoliating Night Cream - €6.99

To be totally honest I wasn't expecting much from this knowing how dry my skin is, it was too gel like in consistency to possibly be hydrating enough for me. However, I did get quite excited at the mention of almond acid because unless you've been living under a rock for the whole of 2014 you'll have heard about all the hype surrounding fruit acid exfoliation namely alpha-h liquid gold and pixi glow tonic (both admittedly are on my wish list). 

I used it for a few nights and just as I expected, it wasn't enough for my skin on its own, now that isn't anything to do with the product itself, it isn't aimed at those unfortunate people like me with excessively dry skin. I decided to experiment a bit and applied it after letting my beloved Nuxe Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté sink in, just before bed 2-3 times a week. Not only am I getting the hydration I so desperately need, my skin has never looked brighter or smoother and I'm putting it down to this combination. There is something about this moisturiser and I'm presuming it the 'gentle exfoliation' from the almond acid that has improved the overall texture of my skin. We're definitely onto a winner with this one!

Manuka tree deep cleansing peeling paste - €4.99

Of all the products in the collection, this was the one I was most excited to try because I was completely baffled by it. A peeling paste? What does that mean? To my disappointed it wasn't a peel off mask. What it is, is an exfoliating mask. I was quite hesitant with this in the beginning and the instructions or lack of didn't help. Are you supposed to wash it off straight away or do you let it dry and then wash it off. Who knows, I tried both and found it a little too abrasive when removing it once it had dried, leaving my skin smooth but feeling raw and irritated. Instead I use it as a targeted spot treatment, if I feel like a spot is starting to rear its ugly head, I apply a little bit of the paste over it before bed and when I wake up, the spot significantly reduced if not after completely disappearing. Very comparable to the Glam Glow youth mud exfoliating mask.

Overall I'm really impressed with the range. While there were both positive and negative aspects, the good has definitely outweighed the bad on this one.

 If I was to pick a stand out product, it would definitely be the night cream. I cannot get over the difference in my skin when I wake up, it's nice to wake up have a plump, fresh face and what's more, sometimes I even think "you know you look good today Rebecca!" Followed by numerous #nomakeup selfies destined to go nowhere..

NARS and Hourglass Haul & *GIVEAWAY*

Happy New Year Lovelies! 

Lets just start off by stating the obvious, I'm back blogging after an extended break. I never intended to be out of the loop for as long as I was but unfortunately life gets in the way from time to time and towards the end of last 2014 it seemed like one thing after another for me. None the less, after my much needed holiday; I picked myself up, dusted myself off and I'm excited to see what 2015 has in store for me. 

I was feeling quite spendy having discovered Mecca in Australia and thought a haul would be a nice way to ease myself back into the swing of things. Most of these products were purchased purely on the recommendations of some of my favourite Irish Bloggers, the enabling bunch that they are..

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in 'Deauville' - This has been on my lust-have list for the longest time but unfortunately for me we don't have a NARS counter in Cork so I couldn't swatch it and although looking at swatches I had Deauville in mind as my shade but I wasn't willing to risk my €40 by buying online. I've worn it twice since buying it and can safely say, we're going to be great friends!

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette - Every blogger and their mother have raved about this palette. It took every ounce of my willpower not to splash out on it before now, but I'm so glad I waited as I made a massive saving by buying it in Australia nabbing it for just €51!! 

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in 'Vanilla' - Another cult favourite in the blogging community, it's supposed to hide a multitude of sins. Both me and my jet lag look forward to putting this through its paces.

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer & No28 Primer Serum - I couldn't decide between the two of these, they both felt lovely on the skin but couldn't justify buying 2 full size primers instead opting for a travel size off each of them. Having worn both, the primer serum is nudging ahead slightly but we'll see. I might do a comparison post in the future.

NARS 'Laguna' Bronzing Powder - Quite possibly one of the most famous NARS products of all time. If I was starting a NARS collection at all this needed to be in it. I've tried it once so far and it's really natural. I was hoping to use it as a contour shade but it's a little to subtle at the moment, I'll give it a proper test once my tan fades..

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in 'Mood Exposure' - I wanted to get the Blush palette as not only did it contain 'mood exposure' but I thought for the price it would be a great way to try a few different shades as I tend to opt for neutral shades on my cheeks. Unfortunately, it is out of stock everywhere. Having said that, Mood exposure is even more glorious in person and will get loads of wear!

Last and no means least, I managed to get my hands on not one but TWO of the most coveted lip shades of 2014 'Soar' by MAC. I has been sold out everywhere for months and I along with half of the female population have been hunting it down since it was announced that it is what Kylie Jenner uses to create her perfect pout.

I thought it would only be fair to share my luck by giving one of them away to one of my followers.

To win you MUST follow @Give_A_Posy on Instagram AND Regram this picture with #giveaposygiveaway 

The winner will be picked at random and announced next Tuesday on instagram. 

Competition IS open internationally

*Please note that if you're instagram profile is on private it won't be counted as I cannot see the Regram.

Best of luck  x

Bronze. Glow. Blush.

I feel like Urban Decay just get us pale girls, they know what we want and they always produce the goods. Another thing they get is palettes. This knowledge combined has lead to what I believe to be my favourite makeup product this year to date and in ten months that's quite the achievement.

 I'm talking about the original Naked Flushed Palette in 'Naked'. A medium, warmed toned satin bronzer teamed with a rose hued highlight and a plumy pink blush. While I don't often opt for pink tones, preferring more neutral colours for my cheeks normally I'm quite surprised by how much I find using the blush colour in this compact, a lot of it being down to the convenience of the palette and the fact the it is a deeper almost berry toned shade, I feel it's more wearable than most, very unoffensive and it will in suit most complexions. It's perfect for this time of year paired with a dark lip.

The compact similar in both style and size to that of the Naked Basics palette comes with a large mirror and what I can only describe as the most satisfying magnetic snap when you close it. 

The pigmentation as with all things Urban Decay is superb, second to none in fact. A little goes a long way and you can of course build up the colour to your hearts desire. The powders themselves are so finely milled that no matter how opaque you apply them you won't end up looking cakey and your chiseled cheekbones will be the envy of all your friends.

This palette is perfect for travel, not only do you have the convenience of having your contour, highlight and blush in a neat little compact but the highlight shade is perfect lazy days as it double as a single shade eye shadow. The packaging makes it very durable so will survive a few knocks and bumps without shattering.

Its quite affordable too, it is priced at €29 which when you consider you're getting 3 highly pigmented products it is nothing short of a bargain. I picked mine up in Debenhams. With just 10 weeks left til Christmas, it would make a great gift, one I'd gladly receive. The 'Strip' palette is next on my hit list (mom in case you're reading this).

Have you tried any of the Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palettes? Would you recommend trying any of the other three?

Nuxe Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté | Review

Autumn is undoubtedly my favourite season; chunky knits, endless cups of tea and roaring fires - pure bliss! While it's all very exciting initially, the reality of this season, with its onslaught of harsh winds and artificial heat is the havoc it wreaks on my already dry skin.

Dry, tight and weather-beaten are just a few adjectives I would use to describe my skin this time of year, that was until I discovered this mask. Throughout the year, I use it once a week, bumping it up to three times a week this time of year and my skin is loving me for it.

Nuxe Masque Crème Fraîche de Beauté is described as a "rescue treatment" and it really could not be anymore accurate. It is concocted with a blend of plant milks and white blossoms, providing intensive moisturisation for even the driest skin, soothing skin irritation instantly (including sun and wind burn) while leaving your skin looking plump and radiant.

You are recommended to apply it liberally, leave for 10 minutes and either massage the remnants into your skin or wipe away with cotton pads but my skin drinks this stuff up so I don't have to faff around with it. I use it at night time when I'm getting ready for bed and it soaks in without leaving my skin feeling greasy.

Like all things Nuxe is smells incredible, you can thank the Orange Blossom for that and while potent it doesn't aggravate the skin like a lot of perfumed skincare does. I happen to find it particularly effective on the dry, flaking skin you get around your nose that comes with the cold and flu season. 

I've yet to come across a Nuxe product that I don't love but this? This is the cream of the crop! (Do you like what I did there?)

It is priced at €21 and is available from stock-lists throughout Ireland and the UK.

Mondss: Your sweaty saviour? | Review*

I have to say, of all the products I've tried over the years these are definitely up there with the ones I've been most skeptical about.  They have received so much media attention since their initial release that when Jane contacted me, I simply could not turn down the opportunity to give them a go. In all honesty, I’m not sure if I would have gone out and bought them of my own accord.

What are Mondss?

In a nutshell, Mondss are adhesive underarm patches designed to lock in odour while absorbing perspiration so you can “wear the clothes you love” without the fear of being left with sweat patches.

Now I wouldn't say I was excessively sweaty, however in high pressure situations whether it’s a job interview or an event - especially when meeting new people like a lot of you, I perspire more. This combined with my love of fake tan can be disastrous. As if sweat patches alone weren't bad enough, imagine orange marks under your arms? I’m cringing as I type.

Admittedly they feel a little weird when you first put them on, a bit like having giant plasters under your arms but you soon forget they are there at all. The neutral colour means they are almost invisible so don't have to worry about them being seen while wearing sheer blouses. They are so thin and contoured to sit comfortably under your arm. They move with you without losing their adhesive grip.

You can apply roll-on deodorant to the absorbent patch if you wish for added protect unfortunately roll-on deodorants irritate my underarms so as you can imagine I was quite apprehensive going without any deodorant while trialing them initially. 

I had warned a few of my colleagues I would be wearing them and would inconspicuously do a smell test throughout the day. To my surprise and delight, there was no odour, my underarms felt dry and fresh.

I have to say as skeptical as I was, I've been blown away by how well they work. I'll be in Australia for Christmas where temperatures will hit the high 30's on the daily so I'll definitely be stocking up on these bad boys for my trip. I'm really into shirts right now and Mondss will allow me to wear them confidently without having to worry about the dreaded sweat patches. 

What I will say is that while these patches work wonders for us ladies at controlling perspiration, I feel that the men of the world are missing out. The patches are a little small for  their underarms and for wedding speeches etc. I am certain Mondss for men would go down a treat. 

Mondss are available exclusively here from their website and are priced at €9.99 for 10 pieces (enough for 5 outings). 

Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove | Review

I have lusted after the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove for as long as I can remember. I constantly complain about what a trek having to clean my makeup brushes is but for a long time, I just couldn't justify the splurge (€34 to be exact). So when I saw that Cloud10beauty were offering a 15% discount a while back, I bit the bullet and bought it.

Now don't get me wrong, a rough sponge or the palm of your hand works fine but when you're washing 40 odd brushes, to say it is a tedious task is an understatement (your hands end up looking like prunes too!). 

The silicone mitt is dual sided - one for face brushes, the other for eye brushes. With a variety of different textures; wash, rinse and refine, it is designed to give your brushes a deep clean in no time at all. 

*Excuse how dirty it looks - I just used it*

Does it work? Yes. It has literally halved my brush cleaning time. You simply wet your brushes as normal, apply a small amount of brush cleaning solution or if you're like me baby shampoo to your mitt and swirl your brushes around the mitt. 

The different grooves make it easier to clean down into the base of the bristles, removing any and all product build up whether it be foundation or gel liner. Once you've finished shampooing your brushes, give them a good rinse and set them aside to dry. Et voila, they are like new the next morning.

While it was pricey, I see it as an investment and it will last forever, a must in any MUA's beauty arsenal in my opinion, it really does make one of my most despised tasks just that little bit more bearable and will save your so much time. 

The Sigma glove is priced at €33.95 and is available here.

However, if you're not quite ready to commit to it, Soap and Glory have brought out a similar product. While being advertised as a massage glove, I have no doubt it would work just as well and is priced at a mere €11. It is available here. 

Old Wives Tail - Coco Loco Organic Coconut Oil Mask | Review*

Much like my skin, I have very dry hair. So every Sunday, without fail I treat my hair to some much needed TLC with a deep conditioning hair mask. I mix it up from week to week, trying different brands from high-end to supermarket finds.

Now I'm the first to admit that outside of the weekly hair mask, my hair has taken a real beating over the years - It has been bleached, dyed and straightened within an inch of its life. I took the ultimate plunge back in January and chopped my hair up into a bob. The lengths and ends were saturated in permanent dye and it just hung around my face lifelessly. It was in my best interest at the time but now I'm bored of it, it's far frizzier and more flyaway since I cut it, I rarely let it down anymore and I want my long locks back.. I digress.

Recently I was given the opportunity to try out a mask from Old Wives Tail, an up and coming organic, handmade haircare brand. Their ethos, similar to that of the likes of Lush and The Body Shop means that they are against animal testing, they do not test on animals nor do they source their products from companies who do. Not only that but 10% of their profits actually go towards charities helping to prevent animal testing.

Some of you may or may not know that I actually suffer from Alopecia from time to time and should really steer clear of chemically laden hair products so knowing that these hair treatments were completely natural, free from parabens and sulfates won me over straight away.

The Mask I opted for after much consideration and discussing my haircare woes with the gorgeous Lily, the creator of OWT (the customer service is extraordinary and she went above and beyond her duties to ensure I chose the right product for me) was the Coco Loco Organic Coconut Oil Hair Mask.

Let me start off by saying how amazing it smells, pepperminty (kinda like bullseye sweets). It lingers in your hair too so every so often you get a waft of it again - Ah-mazing! 

I've been using it for about six weeks now massaging a €2 coin sized amount into my dry hair focusing on the ends. I then wrap my head in clingfilm (attractive I know, you should have seen the snapchats) and leave it there for an hour or two and rinse it out with a double shampoo. The heat of your head will help the oils penetrate deep into the hair follicle nourishing your hair from the inside out.

From the first use you could see a difference, my hair was shiny and sleeker. Soft to the touch and did I mention the smell? Everything you'd want in a hair mask - great! What I've noticed since is the total lack of dandruff. Having changed nothing else in my haircare other than this mask, my scalp is completely clear, not a flake in sight. 

 It is all natural like I said and full of essential oils so it won't aggravate an already irritated scalp. It is made with a base of coconut oil which is know for its moisturising properties, I imagine it would work wonders at calming an itchy/dry scalp.

It is priced at €18.79 normally but is on offer at the moment for €12.53 and is available here. Definitely worth a try if you need a little hair hydration or if like me, you're looking to step away from those nasty chemicals.