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.

Milani Cosmetics

I recently discovered that US make-up range Milani Cosmetics was available in the UK from both their own UK website & also from Beauty Bay. So I ordered some of their "cult products" which featured prominently in a lot of US bloggers' "Best of 2016" Round-Ups to try out. I decided to order from Beauty Bay rather than their own website as Beauty Bay has free international shipping for orders over €18, also they seemed to have a better shade range in stock when I placed my orders (Beware though as Beauty Bay took aaaages to delivery, was waiting about three weeks for each order & tracking is not available with free delivery).

On my first order I purchased one bottle of the Conceal And Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation & Concealer in the shade 03 Light Beige (€13.10), two of the Baked Blushes in the shades Luminoso & Dolce Pink (€9.50 each) And one of the Powder Blushes in the shade Tea Rose (€10.70).

On My second order I purchased the Conceal And Perfect 2 in 1 Foundation & Concealer in the shade 01 Creamy Vanilla.

On my third order I purchased two Baked Blushes in the shades Rose D'oro & Berry Amore.

The foundation has quickly become my absolute favourite foundation, and is, in my opinion a close dupe for Estee Lauder Double Wear. It is a high coverage foundation when applied with a brush, but can be sheered out if applied with a Beauty Blender. This foundation does not settle into any of my fine lines & lasts throughout a full day's work, which would be about nine or ten hours. I don't set mine with a powder (except maybe my nose), I mist MAC's Fix+ over instead to keep it dewy looking, but those with oily complexions will probably need to powder. 

Be warned though, this foundation runs incredibly dark. From the description on the website I thought 03 Light Beige would be my perfect shade, but I could only wear this shade with a dark tan. The lightest shade 01 Creamy Vanilla is still very dark (and yellow toned) so I'd still need to have a bit of colour to match it. Milani Cosmetics has just announced that they have launched an even lighter shade 00, but this hasn't reached us yet.

Left: 01 Creamy Vanilla. Right: 03 Light Beige

The Powder Blush is beautiful to look at, almost too pretty to use! It offers a matte flush of colour. Very pigmented, so the brush definitely needs to be tapped off. Long lasting too. I probably won't order any more of these, as beautiful as they are, as I think they Baked Blushes give a much nicer & more luminous look, where as the matte finish can tend to look a bit flat on the skin

The Baked Blushes are fabulous! Although they swatch with chunks of glitter, this doesn't seem to translate when applied with a brush to the cheeks, instead you are left with this fabulous healthy sheen. Some of the brighter colours can be very pigmented, so a light hand is needed, but the glow you are left with is incredible. 

They come with a little portable brush in the little compact mirror underneath, but these are pretty useless, the wrong shape & they don't seem to pick up pigment. But you will not be disappointed with a proper blusher brush. 

Although most people's favourite shade seems to be Luminoso, mine is Berry Amore. It looks so good on the skin without leaning too pink or too orange.

Disappointing Products

Bourjois City Radiance Foundation

This foundation is really bad. Really really bad. I picked it up due to the fact that it had "Radiance" in the title & I find that a lot of foundation can look flat on the skin. This product has no radiance at all. The product seemed to separate as soon as it was applied to the skin, leaving what looked like small dots of foundation on the skin instead of a smooth canvas. I tried different methods of application- Beauty Blender, brush, fingers etc, different types of primers and mixing it with other foundations or moisturisers. Nothing helped, its just a really bad foundation. €12 from Sam McCauleys. 

Schwarzkopf Got2b Mind Blowing Xpress Dry Styling Spray

This spray actually damaged my hair rather than helping it. It is supposed to speed up drying time when blow drying, condition & provide heat protection. This product completely dried my hair out & it became incredibly brittle & ended up breaking.This spray might work if you have oily hair, but stay well clear if you've any dryness.  

Naked 3 palette

I wanted to love this palette so much, it looks absolutely beautiful & the colour range of dusty pinks is divine. Unfortunately I was disappointed, when blended on the eye the mattes just blend into one dusty pink colour, there's no gradient or colour differentiation. Some of the colours even blend away to nothing. 

The shimmers are, unfortunately, just as bad. Even when using Mac Fix+ on the brush you can't get enough product for a wash of colour, all you end up with is a few flecks of glitter on the eye.  I barely use this product, but I opened it the other day & some of the pans are loose. Not good, especially for the money. €50 from Debenhams.

Caudalie Micellar Cleansing Water 

I received this product in a kit from Cult Beauty & also received it in a Birchbox last year. Its not necessary a terrible product. It's just OK. My Garnier Micellar Water performed much better & is much cheaper. It doesn't seem to be great at removing make-up, so I generally just use it at the very end of removing make-up to get rid of any left over cleanser.

Catrice High Glow Mineral Highlighting Powder.

Again not a terrible product by any means, but this was so hyped on Instagram I had to try it. Because of the surrounding hype, it was out of stock every time I tried to purchase it from Penneys/Primark. When I finally did get my hands on it I was severely under-whelmed... It's fine. Just fine. Gave a subtle highlight but also left a slight pink cast & noticable glitter on my cheeks which I wasn't a fan off. It's grand if you're looking for a cheap highlighter though.

What's On My Face

• Milani Conceal & Perfect 2-in-1 Foundation & Concealer (Brand new-review to come!) In the shade 01 Creamy Vanilla
• PS... Pro Miracle Primer
• LA Girl High Definition Colour Corrector in "Peach"
• LA Girl HighDefinition Pro Conceal in "Porcelain "
• Inglot Loose Powder in shade 14 
• Benefit Hoola Bronzer
• Milani Baked Blush in "Dolce Pink"
• MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in "Soft & Gentle"
• Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in "Chocolate"
• Tatted "Tarlette in Bloom" Eye Shadow Palette
• Colourpop Crème Gel Colour in "Fast Lane"
• Marc Jacobs Lash Volumizing Mascara in "30 Blacquer"
• MAC Fix+ Prep & Prime Spray
• Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in "Echo Park"

Best of Skin Care 2016

Eye Make-Up Remover

This eye make-up remover is one of the few that removes my eye make-up without me having to rub vigorously at my lids. I just shake the bottle to mix & saturate two cotton pads, leave on my eyes for a few seconds & wipe away. At €3 from most pharmacies its easy to find, lasts for ages & doesn't break the bank.

Make-Up Remover

This make-up remover is micellar water mixed with oil & it removes every scrap of make-up off my face. I soak one of the large cotton pads & sweep across my face. This bottle has lasted me for months. It says that it is for dry/normal (my skin would be quite dry) but it doesn't leave any residue on the skin, so might work for all skin types. €6 from most pharmacies, but I actually picked mine up from Penneys/Primark.

Facial Cleanser

After I've removed my make-up with the micellar water I usually deep cleanse with Simple's Kind to Skin Moisturising Facial Wash. I don't have particularly sensitive skin, but I do find that alot of other foaming cleansers dry my skin out too much & leave it feeling uncomfortably tight. This removes any traces of make-up which I may have left behind without the uncomfortable feeling. I got mine from Tesco when the whole Simple range was half price.

Toner

Pixi's Glow Tonic is my absolute Holy Grail skincare product. My skin's texture has improved so much since using this product. The Glow Tonic is an exfoliating toner, so it removes dead skin cells to reveal the brighter skin underneath. As it contains 5% Glycolic Acid you will have to slowly build up to using this neat on the skin. I started using it on damp cotton rounds for the first week or so. I use this every evening now & it makes my dull, dry skin so much brighter & the next morning my make-up goes on smoother. £18 on Cult Beauty.

Facial Exfoliator

I received The Dr. Brandt Pore Dermabrasion in a Birchbox, so it was only a sample size, but it has been the best exfoliator I used in 2016. It has tiny granules which slough away the dead skin cells leaving incredibly smooth skin underneath. A tiny bit goes a long way, so as I only use it around once a week a small tube lasts for ages. £43 from Birchbox.

Lip Scrub

The smell of this lip scrub is delicious (safe to eat as well!) The granules are course enough to make a difference & it leaves behind a slightly oily residue which moisturises the lips. £5.50 from Lush.

Serum

This has more of a lotion consistency than a typical serum. It doesn't give me enough hydration by itself, but this gives my skin an extra boost of moisture underneath my normal moisturiser. Great also as a primer before foundation. I've gone through multiple tubes of this & I will keep repurchasing.€3.50 from Penneys/Primark.

Eye Cream

I use two different eye creams, one for the morning & a different one for the evening. My morning one is Caudalie's "Premier Cru- The Eye Cream", this has a nice light consistency but still moisturises & smooths under the eyes. It also doesn't have any adverse effects with any make-up applied over it. Benefits "It's Potent" eye cream is a bit richer so I apply it in the evening after I've removed my make-up. Since using this cream I've noticed a huge difference in the texture of my under eyes & also the appearance of some of the fine lines. Caudalie Premier Cru as part of a kit from Cult Beauty. Benefits It's Potent €26 from Sam McAuleys.

Facial Moisturiser

I have yet to find my perfect moisturiser, but this one from Simple has been the best so far. Its easy to layer with other products & doesn't leave a residue on the skin or clog the pores. I mainly use this as a night cream, but works well under make-up too (if you have dry skin). €5 from pharmacies.

Facial Spray

This is without a doubt the best facial spray I've tried. It contains Argan Oil & is great underneath my moisturiser for an extra boost or for spraying over make-up when my foundation looks dry or cakey. I love it so much... but it breaks me out... I get small little red bumps on my forehead when I use this, easy to cover up with make-up & usually disappear after using a detoxing face mask. But it does mean that I don't use it every day. Its such a good product that I'm going to persevere using it & hopefully my skin will adjust to it as I'm not usually prone to breakouts. £18 Cult Beauty.