February Haul

From Colourpop:

• Crème Gel Liner in Get Paid (€5)
• Crème Gel Liner in Honey Dude (€5)
• Crème Gel Liner in Mr. Bing (€5)
• Eyeliner Brush ($5)
• Colourpop X Hello Kitty Ultra Satin Lip in Tiny Chum (€6)
• Ultra Glossy Lip in Nonsense (€6)
• Ultra Satin Lip in "Calypso" (€6)

From Kylie Cosmetics:

• Burgundy Eyeshadow Palette
• Koko K Lipkit 

($65 dollars for the two combined)

From Blank Canvas:

• Latex free Beauty Sponge (€7)
• Brush & Sponge Solid Cleanser (€14.99)

From The Balm (not pictured)

• Bahama Mama Bronzer (€9 on sale)
• Sexy Mama Pressed Powder (€9 on sale) 

Other:

• Duo Brush On Lash Glue (€8)

My Favourite Brushes

 If I'm applying a full face of make-up these are the Brushes I use every single time. I know these brushes are going to do exactly what I need them to do.

Nima Foundation Brush €18

Available from Nimabrush.com This Brush is suitable for liquid & powder foundation. I tend to use it with my heavier coverage foundations if I need a flawless finish e.g Estée Lauder Double Wear.

Real Techniques Powder Brush 1401 €18.99

Available from Boots.ie I use this Brush for blending my contour as the bristles are quite tightly packed. I also use it for applying loose face powder if I need to set my foundation.

Inglot 4SS €22

Available from Inglot.ie I use this Brush to set my under eye concealer & eye shadow primer.ive a,so heard of people using this as a foundation Brush, so seems to work well with liquid & powder products.

Real Techniques Blusher Brush 1407 €14.99

Available from Boots.ie A standard tapered blusher brush. The tapered shape means it blends the blusher without much work from you.

Anastasia Eyebrow Brush 12 £17

Available from anastasiabeverlyhills.co.uk This brush is double ended with an angled eyebrow brow brush on one end & a spoolie on the other. This Brush is perfect as the Brush is so small & skinny it can create really precise lines. Works perfectly in conjunction with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade. 

Blank Canvas F28 Contour Brush €8.99

Available from blankcanvascosmetics.com This brush has long thin bristles which I like as it gives a nice precise & sharp contour line. This brush isn't suitable for blending the contour, but great for laying down the initial line. For blending I use the Real Techniques Powder Brush above. This Brush is also great for applying highlighter, especially if you just want to apply it to a very specific area e.g side of the eye contour or the very top of the cheek bones.

Inglot 37R Fan Brush €40

Available from inglot.ie €40 might seem a bit steep for a fan brush, but this one is worth every penny in my opinion. This one is quite dense for a fan brush meaning that it can pick up more product than the average fan brush & gently lays down highlighter without disturbing the foundation & underlying products.

Avon Shader Brush (As part of a set) 

I got this as part of a set from Avon.co.uk a few years ago, so not sure if it's still available, but the shape of this brush is perfect for applying a nude base colour. The flat but fluffy shape means it can lay down a good amount of product & blend it at the same time.

Inglot 6SS x2 €20

Available from inglot.ie This is my absolute must have eye brush. I always use two of them when doing my make-up, the first one for my transition shade & the second one for the lightest shade of my eye look. The shape & size of the bristles means that it can lay down a lot of product with less movement so it's gentler on the delicate skin of the eye. This isn't suitable for the more intricate work nearer the lash line as it's a fuller brush, but it's perfect for crease work.

Blank Canvas E42 Pointed Crease Blender €7.99

Available from blankCanvasCosmetics.com This is the brush that I use after my Inglot 6SS brushes. I use it for blending a deeper colour into the crease (not the deepest colour though) I then use it to blend the same deeper colour on the lower lash line, it has a slightly narrower brush head than the 6SS, so I can do a bit more detail in the crease.

Blank Canvas E23 Pencil Brush €7.99

Available from blankCanvasCosmetics.com This is the perfect multi use eye brush. It's great for applying inner corner highlight & brow bone high light. It can also be used for smudging deeper colours on the lower lash line.

Blank Canvas E24 Flat Shader Brush €7.99

Available from blankcanvascosmetics.com This a small shader brush with quite stiff bristles making it perfect for laying down glitter shadows to the eye lid for smokey or halo eye looks.

Inglot 10s Brush €18

Available from inglot.ie This is a very narrow brush which I use to apply my deepest crease shade & for blending under the eye. The very fine tip means it can right into the crease to create a lot of depth. I usually This brush with very dark brown or black shadows.

Real Techniques Bold Metals 201 Pointed Crease Brush €16.99

Available from boots.ie I use this Brush for applying a solid colour to the crease or dark shadows to the outer "v" of the eye lid. The short compacted bristles of the brush make it ideal for application of strong dark colours.

The Ordinary

I first came across skincare brand The Ordinary on Wayne Goss' YouTube channel, where he has several videos in which he can barely contain his excitement about these amazing products at amazing prices. As Wayne's videos are typically only a few minutes long he doesn't go into much detail about the products other than he thinks they're the best thing since sliced bread. 

The general gist that I got was that they are a no frills skincare brand who do not spend fortunes on marketing, rather they sell directly from their website (and also from ASOS) and let word of mouth spread. 

Wayne Goss is one of the YouTube Make-up artists who's opinion I tend to trust. He is incredibly honest (or seems to be) so I tend to take notice when he recommends products. As the weeks went by I noticed more & more people started talking about The Ordinary, so I decided to see what all the hype was about. (Also Stefanie Nicole announced on her Instagram that she is due to do a review- also a trust worthy source)

That's when I disappeared down the Rabbit Hole... These products/website are incredibly confusing.

The Ordinary is a Canadian company owned by parent company Deciem who also owns about 10 other skincare brands (Niod, The Chemistry Brand, Stem & Fountain to name a few), ranging in price from low end to Luxury. The Ordinary being at the lower end of the scale.

As I studied Beauty Therapy many moons ago I would have a certain amount of knowledge about skincare & ingredients, but I still found the information hard going. Basically many skincare products we buy contain the active ingredients/nutrients that we need mixed in with other ingredients & mediums to form products that contain unstable elements & diluted ingredients which effects the performance of the product. The Ordinary sells these ingredients pretty much by themselves or only mixed with one or two other ingredients, suspended in a serum/emulsion type solution & are more potent on the skin.

What it does provide though is a Regimen Guide which offers suggestions on how to combine multiple formulations:

	Format	Regimen Step	Conflicts
Buffet	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	AM and PM
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil	Oil	After Water Solutions	-	Any Time
Advanced Retinoid 2%	Emulsion	Before Oils/Creams	-	PM Only
Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	AM and PM
Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	AM and PM
Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2%	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	Ideally PM
Lactic Acid 5% + HA 2%	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	Ideally PM
Matrixyl 10% + HA	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	AM and PM
Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	Vitamin C	AM and/or PM
100% Organic Cold-Pressed Argan Oil	Oil	After Water Solutions	-	Any Time
Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%	Suspension	After Water Solutions	-	Ideally PM
Vitamin C Suspension 23% + HA Spheres 2%	Suspension	After Water Solutions	Niacinamide	Ideally PM
Ascorbyl Glucoside Solution 12%	Water Solution	Before Oils/Creams	-	AM and PM
Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Solution 10%	Emulsion	After Water Solutions	-	AM and PM
Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate Solution 20% in Vitamin F	Oil Solution	After Water Solutions	-	AM and/or PM

Source: Ordinaries.com

It also gives you a breakdown on what products might suit your particular skin care needs:

Example regimen for general signs of age: 

AM: Buffet, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5; PM: Buffet, Advanced Retinoid 2%, 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Example regimen for dehydration: 

AM: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate Solution 10%; PM: Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5, Advanced Retinoid 2%; 100% Organic Cold-Pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil

Source: Ordinaries.com

As I'm beginning to notice signs of aging & my skin is very dehydrated I ordered High Adherence Silicone Primer, Natural Moisturising Factors +HA, Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 and Advanced Retinoid 2%. I was going to get the Retinol 1% but they actually recommend to get the Retinoid 2%:

"While Retinol has been studied extensively, it is irritating to the skin and newer technologies exist that mimic the visible effects of Retinol without causing skin irritation. For this reason, we generally recommend using Advanced Retinoid 2% instead of this formulation."

High Adherence Silicone Primer €4.90 

"This formula uses advanced adaptive silicones to act as a matte, hydrating, blurring primer for makeup that looks higher in definition and adheres for longer. The formula can also be used alone as a non-greasy hydrator that reduces the looks of pores and of imperfections."

There is much divided public opinion on whether silicones are good for the skin or can actually be harmful. Silicone covers the skin creating a barrier which retains water in the skin. The majority of skin & hair care products actually contain different forms of silicone (Dimethicone, methicone etc). It also helps to smooth out uneven surfaces, hence its inclusion in many primers as it provides a smooth base for make-up.

Some of the concerns about silicones is that the barrier which it creates traps sweat, dirt & oil already on the skin which can cause breakouts. Its also thought to be a trigger for eczema for some people (I don't find this the case with my skin). To help combat this ensure that the skin is completely cleansed before applying any products containing silicones. 

This primer made my skin feel so, so soft (hello silicone!). It really did make my foundation go on better & last longer, especially on my nose which usually seems to wear off as soon as I apply it. I noticed no more clogged pores than usually after using this. A definite re-purchase for me.

Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 €6.80 

"Hyaluronic Acid (HA) can attract up to 1,000 times its weight in water. The molecular size of HA determines its depth of delivery in the skin. This formulation combines low-, medium- and high-molecular weight HA, as well as a next-generation HA crosspolymer at a combined concentration of 2% for multi-depth hydration in an oil-free formula. This system is supported with the addition of Vitamin B5 which also enhances surface hydration.

Note: Hyaluronic Acid is found in the skin naturally but its natural function within the skin is not hydration. Many products have used HA to claim hydration benefits, but HA is too large of a molecule to penetrate the skin and instead sits on the surface and can draw moisture out of the skin making the surface feel soft and hydrated temporarily, while making you feel like you need more HA after the product is rinsed. This formula uses three forms of HA with varying molecular weights, as well as an HA crosspolymer, to offer multi-depth hydration and visible plumping without drawing water out of the skin solely to improve temporary surface hydration."

Most skin care products take around four weeks to make a noticeable difference, but this serum was instant. Instead of my skin feeling tight & dry, it felt "normal". I no longer need to use an oil in the morning (I still use one in the evening due to the retinoid). Amazing product for the price. I also notice that my forehead lines don't look as deep, so hopefully this will keep improving! Everybody needs to buy this serum, no arguments.

Advanced Retinoid 2% €9.80 

"This formulation combines two forms of next-generation retinoid actives in a combined concentration of 2% by weight: 

These two actives are:

a) Solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate is a highly-advanced form of retinoid which is, in fact, a non-prescription ester of all-trans direct retinoic acid that offers a multi-fold better effect against signs of ageing than retinol, retinyl palmitate and nearly all other forms of non-prescription retinoid; 

b) a sustained-delivery form of pure retinol in a protective capsule system which supports both the delivery and the effect of Solubilized Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. 

Both forms of retinoid used avoid the irritation associated with retinoid (including retinol) use while delivering better visible results against signs of ageing.

Note:

This product uses next-generation retinoid active technologies which have been shown to achieve better reduction in signs of ageing than retinol without irritation. These technologies cannot be compared directly with retinol itself in terms of concentration because they include a different retinoid molecule, in a similar way that Retinol cannot be compared with Retinoic Acid in terms of concentration. If you have interest in a retinol product, please refer to our Retinol 1% formula which contains 1% pure retinol and costs less since many retinol technologies cost less than their next-generation counterparts like Hydroxypinacolone Retinoate. Advanced Retinoid 2% achieves better visible anti-ageing results than Retinol 1% with less irritation but Retinol 1% is suitable if you are looking specifically for a pure Retinol formula. 

Caution: Retinoids can make the skin more sensitive to UV radiation. Sun protection is particularly important when using retinoids. This product must not be used in conjunction with other retinoids including retinol or retinoic acid. This product is not a treatment for acne. Acne-prone skin may experience a temporary increase in acne during the first few weeks of using any form of retinoid including those used in this formulation."

I haven't been using this product long enough to see any noticable difference, but it feels nice on the skin & I've experienced no irritation or dryness since using it (I use jojoba as the final step in my skin care routine in the evening so this might be helping) 

Natural Moisturising Factors +HA €5.80 

"Natural Moisturizing Factors (NMF) are elements that keep the outer layer of the skin protected and well-hydrated. NMF are made up of multiple amino acids, fatty acids, triglycerides, urea, ceramides, phospholipids, glycerin, saccharides, sodium PCA, hyaluronic acid and many other compounds that are naturally present in the skin. 

This formula offers non-greasy hydration that acts as a direct topical supplement of impaired NMF components. It contains 11 amino acids, phospholipids, alpha/beta/gamma fatty acids, triglycerides, sterols and sterol esters, glycerin, ceramide precursors, urea, saccharides, sodium PCA and hyaluronic acid. It offers immediate hydration and lasting results with continued use."

The tube of this was actually smaller than I was expecting for a moisturiser (It looks more like the size you would expect foundation to be- 30ml). But a little does go a long way. I haven't noticed much difference between this & my Simple moisturizer, but the tube is very travel friendly & it does feel nice on the skin. I don't think this particular moisturiser is a must have like the other products I am using, I might feel differently after using for a few weeks though.