Ta Hun Sure It's Only Penney's: Lip Pencil Edition

Hey Ladies, 

I swear for the last two months I have been on the biggest lipstick binge, as if I need anymore lipsticks... honestly like a hole in the head. But I just can't help myself but thankfully my latest two faves only cost €1.50 each so it's not going to break the bank or leave me feeling guilty.

I swear Penney's is just getting better by the day, the clothes are on trend and the home ware is to die for and their latest beauty range is making headlines everywhere so naturally enough I tottered down to Penney's to see what the fuss was about. I was hearing reports that one of their lip pencils was a dupe for MAC Spice and by golly it is. Think Spice and Soar mixed but for a fraction of the price, sure you wouldn't even get a cup of tea for that much! 

Anyways, the lip liners are part of their new P.S Love range and there are a few colours but I only picked up the nude and the plum. Now if someone said Penney's brought out makeup I would have thought "you get what you pay for" and the quality would be rubbish but surprisingly enough these liners are giving MAC a run for their money, they are far more covetable than the Kylie Jenner effect on Soar earlier this year, these Penney's lip liner have been out of stock for AGES. That's saying something. 

I have been putting them to the test in terms of quality of colour and durability and so far they're doing brilliant. The quality of pigment is opaque so there's no need to have to pile a whole load on and they last quite well. Now, if you're eating you will need to reapply afterwards but so far they've held up really well. Since testing them I couldn't tell you how many compliments I have gotten. In fact preparing for this post I wore the plum shade today (how similar to MAC Rebel is this!) and so many people asked what I had on, one friend of mine actually said "I bet its MAC!" and I said no actually it's Penney's and she was shocked! 

So there you have it and just a side not my favourite thing I love about these pencils is that I can bring them on a night out or away with me and not be afraid to lose them! 

Tell me have you tried any of the Penney's makeup and what did you think?

GHD Platinum: The New Must Have

Hey Ladies,

Although I have been blogging on and off now for a couple of years I still get overly excited when I get emails inviting me to events. Way back I got invited as a plus one to an event for GHD by my lovely friend Gracey (which you will know as Long Hair and Lashes). Now, you all know me when it comes to hair you can just forget it. I can just about brush my hair in the morning and even that is a challenge. There's been plenty of times I have had insane thoughts of just shaving my head but have managed to keep my sanity intact thanks to fantastic hair tools and a little bit of determination.

The event itself was for mainly hairdressers to showcase the new GHD Platinum styler and what it can do and how it does it. When we arrived there were rows of styling stations with brushes, tools and hair products. There was also a big stage right in the middle of the room for the demonstrations. The GHD Pro team demonstrated three looks which you can see in the images below, the Jessica Rabbit killer curl, the avant-garde braid and the boho wave. And boy do they make it look so easy! Then we got a little bit of time to test them out for ourselves i.e a GHD Pro came along and gave me a hand which was brillopads for me because I could then annoyingly pick their brains with all the stupid hair questions I had. Then when we were leaving.....they gave us a brand spanking new GHD to try at home. I had to pick my jaw up off the floor!

So enough of that let me tell you a little more about my new hair saviour and what I really think... It is described by GHD as "the ground-breaking styler that takes the guilt out of heat styling. The GHD platinum styler delivers our best-ever styling results for all hair types, including harder to style hair.". So with all that said what is the actual styler like? Think sleeker, more effective and less damage. Sometimes I think it is harder to review items like this and instead you really need to see it in action...so I made a mini review and demo of the look seen on me in the pictures below, which just so happens to be my usual hair style.

The styler has a brand new design that features the Wishbone Hinge to help keep plates aligned so you get an even better curl and straighten. I've also mentioned in the video it's an added bonus if you have longer hair like me! I also noted the swivel cord which makes styling easier. The plates on either side of the styler have also improved hugely due to the added sensors to ensure that they are heated evenly so you don't miss any sections of hair, they call it tri-zone technology. GHD boast claims that it is 50% less damaging than other stylers and I have to be honest since I have been using it my hair hasn't been as dry and I have noticed a lot less split ends! It also comes with a nifty little silicone protector to prevent damaging surfaces after styling. A silly side note but it also has a universal fuse which means you can take this anywhere in the world and it will work perfectly.

I also get asked quite a lot whether I prefer my L'oreal Steam Pod or the new GHD Platinum and I do go into more detail about that in the video if you are curious. So let's talk price....brace yourself...this styler costs €215 which is not cheap by any means. BUT let me just say a GHD is not just for Christmas it's for life. I can't even tell you how long I had my last GHD and it's still going strong. Its an investment so if you are thinking about upgrading your straightener then I would say this is its replacement.

 

With all that said I would love to know your thoughts, is €215 too steep for a hair styling tool or is the GHD your hair bestie? Let me know in the comments, I would love to hear your thoughts. 

The Ultimate Packing List

Hey Ladies,

So lists are my thing....I can't do anything without a list as it's how I stay organised (well try to). And there is nothing more stressful than packing for a sun holiday, guaranteed you'll be half way to ________(insert holiday destination here) and you'll realise you left half of your essentials at home. Funnily enough it was actually a girl in work who said to me...

"You know the way your super organised with your lists? Can you to a holiday packing list!" 

...and ta-da here it is. My holiday essentials in a handy print out that even has those little boxes for you to satisfyingly tick once you've popped your bits 'n' bobs in your suitcase. A rough guide to help you remember the important stuff and build from there. Many a nights before going on holiday I've had nightmares of turning up to the airport with an empty suitcase, stress be gone. Now, I have tailored this to a sun holiday but fret not I have a city guide and a long haul to the US coming up next. I am really excited to share all of my travel tips and tricks with you lot!

So if your heading on your holibops Suzie Q has got you covered...you can find the download link here: Download! And at the top you have the option to print or save.

Happy packing!

Purple Smoke With By Terry

Hey Ladies,

For the past few weeks I have been doing the same makeup look...almost everyday. I bought the highly talked about By Terry Ombre Black Star in Misty Rock back in February and have been getting on famously ever since. At €30 its a steep spend for just an eye shadow stick but it is literally the most gorgeous thing I've ever laid my beady eyes on.

Even those who are eye shadow challenged will be able to master this beauty, simply twist it up and pop it all over the lid and either blend it out with a finger or with a blending brush. I find this fades to a soft brown shade around the edges so its not necessary to add any more shadows with it but you can if you want! Once it's on its sets so you don't have to worry about creasing, although if you do have an exceptionally oily eye lid I would recommend a primer before hand.

So I did a little tutorial using this shadow so you could see it in action:

Product List:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
MAC Strobe Cream
Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain
No Brand Buffing Brush
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC15
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
MAC Studio Fix Powder in NW13
MAC Painterly Paint Pot
By Terry Ombre Black Star in Misty Rock
Clinique Eye Shadow Brush
Urban Decay Shadow Brush
MAC White Frost Eye Shadow
MAC Cork Eyeshadow
MAC Wedge Eyeshadow
MAC 224 Brush
MAC 217 Brush
MAC Sketch Eyeshadow
Estee Lauder Double Wear Concealer in 1N Extra Light
MAC 212 Brush
MAC 219 Brush
MAC Dipdown Fluidline
MAC 263 Brush
Rimmel Brow This Way in Deep Brown
Inglot Gel Eyeliner in 77
No Brand Paint Brush
MAC False Lashes Mascara
MAC 109 Brush
NYX Powder Blush in Taupe
Crown Brush Contour Brush
MAC Stereo Rose Blush
Real Techniques Blush Brush
Sleek Face Form in Light Highlighter
Nima Brush Wendy
MAC Peach Blossom Lipstick

So would I spend another €30 quid for a different colour from the collection? Definitely! My sister also picked up the same shade and gets great use out of hers! So let me know would you spend that much on an eye shadow pencil? Or do you have any dupes from a budget brand I should know about?

Suzie Q Reviews: Essence and Essie!

Hey Ladies,

Passing through Penney's recently and I topped by the Essence stand and boy has it been a while since I've picked anything up. And to be fair I was very good I only picked up one thing...I know how restrained was I?

My nails have been in rag order lately especially my cuticles so I picked up their Fast Cuticle Remover to see if I can nurse them back to health. For only a few bob I didn't expect much but I was presently surprised. Basically you pop it on all over your cuticles, leave it for 15 seconds and push them back with a cuticle pusher. Easy peasy! If your like me and you do your own nails this will give you the look that you have been to the salon and will make them easier to paint. Taking care of your cuticles is vital if you want your nails to grow and strengthen.

So with my nails looking the picture of health I wanted to pop on a subtle and soft polish that was a little more pastel so I chose Go Ginza by Essie. A polish that goes with everything and every time I wear it I think to myself that this would be a fab nail polish for a wedding day. It's different but won't look tacky as sin when you look back at your photographs in 20 years time. It is a pop of colour but won't take away from anything else and it suits all skin tones from pale to tanned gorgeously.

So if your a bride on a budget these two products will give you the perfect mitts for the big day!

How To Brow For Those Who Don't Know How!

Hey Ladies,

Brows..... I'm sure you haven't heard that word a bazillion times this month. Brows are back in a big way (Although I'm sure they never really left..), my YouTube timeline is chock-o-block with brow tutorials and tonnes of Instagram posts boast the hash tag #eyebrowsonfleek. So I thought I would do a video on my YouTube channel all about my brows...talking about hopping on the band wagon. Instead of just filling them in though I'm gonna take you through everything from tinting, to tweezing/threading and then filling them in.

I also thought I would switch it up a bit and include some new products that I have kindly been sent by Eylure and give you my first impressions. I wanted to disclose that I was sent these items but that won't in any way hamper my opinion, I guarantee you have my complete honesty. I have also left the instructions for use when tinting brows below if your unsure of the process. So let's cut all the waffle and get right into it..

And here for your pleasure are some embarrassing pictures of my brow past...from bushes to tadpoles its been a struggle. Oh the shame.

Also quick instructions on how to use the Permanent Tint by Eylure 

1. Sensitivity test is essential apply a small amount of dye behind the ear and look out for a reaction.

2. Cleanse the eye brows to remove any natural oils and makeup using an non-oily cleanser.

3.Apply a barrier cream around the edge of the brows to prevent staining. Vaseline will do the job!

4. Squeeze both sachet 1 and 2 into the bowl provided and mix.

5. Using a clean mascara wand apply the cream mixture to the brows.

6. If you happen to get dye on the skin quickly cleanse with a non oily cleanser to prevent staining.

7. Leave on for 1-2 minutes depending on your hair colour and how dark you want the brows to be.

8. Remove the dye after the dye has had time to work using a non oily cleanser.

Makeup Tutorial - Glittering Gold

Hey Ladies,

I have filmed my first makeup tutorial, so now we won't have picture heavy posts and I can show you my makeup looks in more detail. At the recent blogger meet up (which I will soon have a post on) we went to Inglot Jervis Street for a makeup demonstration. The makeup artist Jessica did the mot amazing glittery smokey eye so naturally I had to buy the products and share what I learned with you!

I have included my video in this post but I would be really appreciative if you took the time to subscribe to my YouTube channel. Hopefully this is the first video of many!

Love,
S

Get The Look!

Hey Ladies, 

I have a tutorial for you today, HUZZAH! I have been super inspired by the latest Dolce and Gabanna collection, I am a huge fan of anything baroque inspired and when I saw the pictures from the show I wanted recreate the look the models wore on the catwalk. A long time ago I purchased the most amazing lace crown from Rock N' Rose but haven't had a chance to wear it yet and thought it would be perfect for this look although it isn't made from gold and half as beautiful.

Let's crack on....


As you can probably tell I have already applied my foundation and concealer just so this post isn't too photo heavy.


To begin you will need to prime your eyes with an eyeshadow base so the colours will pop, last all day/night long and most importantly won't crease on the eye. Then taking a plain matte vanilla shade sweep it all over the lid and up to the brow bone. We are going to use matte shadows in this look to keep it very natural considering the lip colour will be strong.

Then, apply a matte light brown shadow on the lid and blend up into the crease. Make sure there are no harsh lines.

  Pop a matte brown shadow in the outer corner and blended into the crease to give the eye depth.

Slowly build up the outer corner matte brown shadow to give the eye a feline shape.

At this point, stop open your eyes and make sure it looks softly blended out and even on both eyes.

Next  add the same matte brown on the lower lash line and join it up to the shadow we have built up in the outer corner this will add to the feline shape we have created.

I then added a highlight to the brow bone and inner corner of my eye,

Then start your winged liner, beginning on the lash line slowly draw along the lashes and then as you reach the outer corner draw upwards to create a wing. I find it easiest if you draw along the lashes, then turn your angled brush in the opposite direction and draw from the outer corner to the the line you have created and then fill in the little triangle of empty space to create the winged liner. Try your best to get both eyes even but don't be worried if they don't match up, eyes are sisters not twins! :)

Then move onto your brows begin by brushing through them with a spooley, then taking a brown gel liner slowly draw a line on the bottom section of the brow extending it to the end of your natural shape and create some hair where you may need some.

Make sure to fill in the rest of the brow with a shadow similar colour to your hair to make them more realistic.

Taking a concealer on a flat brush then outline the shape of the brow and clean up any areas where you may have over filled or  need to reshape the brow matching one brow to the other.

To finish off the eyes add your favourite mascara!

Finishing off the look...

Powder the face and apply a contour under the cheek bones. I am not adding blush to my cheeks as I don't want to give the face too much colour but I high light the tops of my cheek bones to give myself a glow. Completely optional if you prefer a matte look.

To start the ombre lip begin by outlining the outside corners of the lips with a berry lip liner and then apply a red lip colour to the centre. To blend the lip colours together go back over the outer corners with the berry shade and blend using a lip brush. Make sure to take a concealer afterwards and line around the lips to correct any mistakes, prevent the lips from bleeding and make the lip shape look super sharp.

For dramatic effect I added lashes, this is completely optional!

Then pop on your crown and voila you're done!

I hope you enjoyed this inspired tutorial as I have plenty more planned for the future! 

Until next time...

Love, 

S