Boots Haul

So today I went a bit cray cray but this hoard will definitely do me for a while! Like most of my friends in the UK and Ireland will agree, the weather is a HOT MESS right now, but that doesn't mean we have to be - so a boots haul was definitely in order.

I picked up a mixture of products from everyday must haves, drugstore make up and a few luxe items.

So here's my list;
L'Oreal Elvive Nutri Gloss Light Shine Conditioner
L'Oreal Elvive Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo
Argania Hair Oil for light coloured and fine hair
Oral B toothpaste
Real Techniques Core Collection Make Up Brush Set
Eco Tools Bamboo Smudge Eyeliner Brush #1245
Maybelline New York Fit Me Foundation #115, Concealer #15 & Pressed Powder #125
Benefit Fine One One
Barry M Glitter Liquid Eyeliner in #11 Gold

And a few sample sachets of Total Moisture Facial Cream & Triple Performing Facial Emulsion from Benefit! (Huge thanks to the Benebabe who gave them to me ~ she was so sweet and have me loads of tips for Fine One One)

It's pretty safe to say I have loads of reviews coming soon!

Mwah
xo

NYC Blushable Crème Stick Review

I'm on a roll today my lovelies! Another review!

I've never really purchased an NYC product in the stores... They've always been TOO budget friendly for my liking and therefore leaving me über suspicious of their quality. (Read: cheap = acne breakout) So I tended to steer well clear.

However, I was keen to find a bargain to add to my collection so I went ahead and picked up the NYC blush stick, or more eloquently put, the Blushable Crème Stick, in Plaza Pink. At €3.50 they're a TOTAL bargain. I have fallen in LOVE with this product so much!

Zero nasty breakouts, gorgeous colour, super easy to work with, and most importantly gives my MAC blush a serious run for it's money.

Also, did I mention, I love how when I first apply it I feel like a super girly American Football player... Don't believe me? Check out my pictures below!

Tell me what you guys think!

Mwah
xo

Rimmel Wake Me Up Review

So, I finally became brave enough to post my first review! Eeek! Where to start? With the basics I guess - foundation!

I'm such a BB Cream slave but in the cold/windy/wet weather it just doesn't cut the mustard so alas.. Without any recommendations I bit the bullet and picked up the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation. My colour of choice #200 soft beige, yes I know I'm not tanned enough for such an oh so dark colour but Rimmel don't make anything in the shade 'ghastly white'. Plus I like to laugh in the age old advice of never buying foundation that's darker than your natural tone for fear of the dreaded Oompa Lompa effect!

So here it goes at 11 squid it definitely doesn't break the bank, but I do like the packaging... I've dropped it more than enough times this week to know it's smash proof!

My skin (as you will see in the picture below) is typically 'Irish' in the sense that it is pale and pasty with flashes of red, a smattering of freckles, and most recently an outbreak of acne. It's also wildly unpredictable in the sense that one day it's as dry as the Sahara and the next it's so oily I almost announce a natural disaster has occurred on my face. Therefore it's vital that I reviewed this over a number of days wear and not just one! (Which I diligently did!)

Colour wise there's not that many shades to choose from but I can live with that as soft beige did me just fine! Here's the best bit... The coverage - it totally evened out my skin tone and even managed to cover some nasty red acne skin when I built it a little. Needless to say I'm delighted with this.

Is it durable?! Well, on my Sahara days it never cracked and I had a nice dewy glow even after 8 hours. On my oil slick days I'm happy to report it didn't just slide off my face but I did have to reapply some setting powder.

As for the anti fatigue effect it promised? Well, I'm not too sure, it definitely did deliver a soft sheen finish, but I guess I would be my own worst critic - what do you think of the before and after pics? Do I look more awake?

Lastly I must say I loved the smell of the foundation, it didn't ever feel like I was wearing any either and added bonus it has an SPF of 15! Winning!! Overall I give this a solid 9/10.

Mwahx

Beginners Beauty

Every now and then I stumble across a great blog and get sucked in reading the posts! Today's poster of the hour is Hannah over on www.beginnersbeauty.com - Congrats Hannah on your 1st year of blogging! Hopefully this will me be this time next year!

Did I mention she's doing a great giveaway of an Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette to celebrate! Pull your sicks up and head over to her blog to be in with a chance to win!

Mwah
xo

H&M Haul!!

So on Tuesday I totally went a bit wild, but in my defence.. My beloved Frankie made me do it! He's the sweetest pup but his obsession with my shoes... Well.. Well.. Ok no, I can't blame him this time!

H&M sucks me in every time, you know the store where you go in to get one thing, and leave with six items?! Yea, that's the kind of shop H&M is... Shame on you! Ha ha!

I did get some great bargains in there though, the leopard flats below were only €12.95, the cute black pumps were even better at €9.95.

The coral skirt that I mentioned in today's OOTD post was a steal at €7... Down from €24.95! The pink striped basic long sleeved tee was €9.95 and the long knit in cream and black stripes was €12.95. I can't wait to wear that tomorrow with black leggings and my brown boots.

Lastly the brown and pink pencil jersey skirt was also on sale and I picked it up for... Wait for it... €3!!!!

I did by some cute undies but I figured those pictures would be too racy!

Mwah
xo

OOTD

Oh how I adore H&M!!! Every time the girls in work or my friends ask me where I got something they grumble when I give them the answer as it's always the same!

To beat the January blues I wanted to add a splash of colour to my normally dark fare and on Tuesday I dashed into H&M (literally I was in and out in 15 minutes) solely to check the sale rail. I figured, if I pick up some bright summery pieces I could get away with wearing them with extra layers and tights!

Today I was wearing a fab coral skirt that I spotted in the sale section for €7!! BARGAIN! I paired it with black tights, a long sleeved grey basic top and blinged it out with a gold spike chain all from H&M.

Lastly I popped on my fav leopard print flats and voila!

Hope you guys enjoy!

Mwah
xo

OOTD - Date Night

Agh my first OOTD (well technically OOTN) super quick post as I'm out and about but in this photo I'm wearing a Black Vevlet dress from River Island bought online from Asos... Paired with black tight and black pumps for a super chic look!

You can't see it in the photo but I'm wearing my new fav nail varnish By Rimmel in 365 Beige Style

Enjoy!

Mwah
xo

Acting the Maggot at Inchydoney

Hi guys!!!

Ahh we are in pure bliss at the moment! My wonderful husband blew me out of the water this Christmas by surprising me with a two night stay at Inchydoney Lodge & Spa in Cork. ID has come highly recommended to us by my sister and Kevin's brother so it was about time we checked it out for ourselves right?!!

So on Sunday morning bright and early we waved bye bye to the pups, leaving them to rule the roost with Kevin's nephew in charge (last we heard they were having a lads night in front of the fire watching the darts!!) and hit the road for Cork!

Just under three hours later we rounded the headland at Clonakilty and the car filled with yummy sea air! Being two landlocked creatures we squeal whenever we see the sea but the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean is mesmerising!

On the first day we chilled in Dunes Bar and watched the footie (well I HAD to let Kevin have some fun!) I must admit it was actually quiet enjoyable. Afterwards we took a dip in the indoor seawater pool and chilled in the sauna. I can't tell you how nice it was to unwind after our busy weeks and the journey down!

Today we quite literally played on the beach (ok no buckets and spades but not far off!) Being able to 'pop to the beach' is a luxury we don't normally have... Even though it wasn't sunny (it is January after all!!) there was a real special feeling! Inchydoney beach is MASSIVE and so beautiful! Totally untouched with a real old world charm. You can't help but close your eyes and imagine days gone by with traditional fishermen in their boats - such a refreshing feeling, and one that oddly feels so natural for us! I understand now the draw for foreign tourists. They truly believe we're quaint people and today, I agreed with them! Only downside - we missed our pups! Next time lads!!

We also meandered around Clonakilty town today, or lovingly known as Clon to the locals, my pictures of the Main Street really don't do it justice but all the shops and buildings have wonderful little signs 'in business for 100 years 1910-2010' and still going strong!!

Tonight we returned to the hotel and just had a fab dinner in The Gulfstream restaurant. It was quiet but the attention to detail, food, presentation and service was second to none! Hats off! We are a tough pair to please (as we eat, sleep breath hospitality) but we have definitely been impressed...

Now we find ourselves snuggled in the residents lounge sipping Cointreau Hot Chocolates (see-no request left unfulfilled!) and reflecting on our trip. Tomorrow, there's just enough time for a quick massage before we head back home... Inchydoney we will definitely be back and Kevin - this is the best gift ever!!

Mwah
xo

Pick Me Up Nails

Boo! Back to work tomorrow after a brilliant Christmas break with my friends, family, hubby & pups...

The break was quiet possibly one of the most relaxing, fun and special times so I wanted to give myself a little pamper treat tonight, et voila, sparkly nails!

Super quick and easy to do. Use any nude or light pink nail varnish that you have. (Make sure you do a double coat!) and finish off the look with a clear varnish that contains flecks of glitter just on the tip of the nails. I used Rimmel Lasting Finish in 500 Disco Ball.

Ahhh I feel a little bit more glam now.

Mwah!
x

2012 MakeUp Favs

So 2012 is over, and I wanted to put together a quick post on my ultimate favourite makeup products (and a few skincare must haves) that all play a part in my day to day routine. One or two of these items I spotted on other blogs and though, ohh, "I want to try that" and ended up buying multiples throughout the year! I love when you find something that works for you!

Benefit Brows a Go Go

I adore this and it has been a makeup staple of mine for years! Although, I am itching to try the HD Brows palette in 2013

Cover Me Up!
At the start of 2012 I was definitely a drugstore foundation kind of gal - but this year I discovered the power of BB Cream!
Garnier BB Cream in light - day wear
MAC Matchmaster 1.5 - night time wear
MAC Prep and Prime - with SPF 50

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly
MAC Studio Sculpt in NW20
Maybeline Superstay Concealer in 2 Light

The Eyes Have It
Max Factor Colour Perfection Eyeliner Pencil in Black
The Body Shop Liquid Eyeliner in 1 Black
Max Factor False Lash Effect Fusion in Black
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette
MAC Eyeshadows - Oops! I can't remember the names but they're 2 x Green and 1 x Bright Pearl/ Off White

Kissable Lips
Normally - and I mean 99.9% of the time I just used Vaseline Lip Balm (in Aloe Vera) but, this year I've added 2 Revlon Lipsticks to my favs;
Revlon Lip Butter in 25 Peach Parfait
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick 353 Pearl Cappuccino

Warm me Up Scotty
Where would I be without face powders?! They can totally transform a look and my go to favourites are
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in 005 Silky Beige
Rimmel Sun Glow Bronzer in 025
MAC Blusher in Dame

In this Skin
No matter what you do, or how good you are with makeup - if you're canvas ain't right, you're in for a Bad Makeup Day! Boooo! Below are the little pretties who got me through the year,
La Roche Possay - Toleriane Moisturiser
La Roche Possay - Effaclar A.I Targeted Breakout Corrector
Bio Oil

She Smells Like Roses!
So - there's a special mention in this section, one perfume is my favourite 'going out perfume' (we all have one!), another for day to day wear, and lastly... My Wedding Day Perfume!!! Yeay! For 2012 I got Married! Can you guess which one is which?
Clinique - Mangnifique
Chanel - Coco Mademoiselle
Cacherel - Noa

So what were your must haves for 2012?! I'd love to hear them!

Mwah!
x

MimiLuxe's MakeUp Storage

I love to play with my makeup but having a system of 'how to store' and usual favourites is vital in making sure I a) don't make a huge mess b) don't waste and most importantly c) helping make sure that I get out of the door on time in the morning! Before, everything used to go into different makeup bags (and what went where was different every time) lots of online searching for a solution and finally I discovered Muji! And ta'da a star was born! I introduce - my makeup storage for my day to day go to products;

Ooo eee I love it! 3 Stacked clear perspex drawers where everything is at easy reach! You'll see on the top I have some brush pots, handy for tidying on the go. Each drawer has a specific purpose, the first level is for face powders and my Benefit eyebrow palette.

To be honest, it's normally much emptier as depending on my mood I usually pop a powder or two into my handbag! The second drawer is for my eye palettes - as you can see my beloved Naked takes pride of place!

And lastly - the final drawer is for my BB Cream, go to foundation and my concealers!

Ahhhh... I LOVE to have things organised and every since I did this about 2 months ago my little makeup area has been an oasis of calm! I took all these photo's at night time, so it does look rather dark, but, the desk is under the window so lots of natural light, it has four drawers which at the moment are shameful! I need to do a major clear out soon!

Any questions, just ask!

Mwah!
x