Monday 30 December 2013

Manicure Monday #9 | Primark Fashion Nails

After an unexpected week-long break, I am back and ready to get down to business! I hope you all had a really good Christmas!  

For this week's manicure, I decided to do something a little bit different! I had planned to get my nails done before Christmas, but failure to get an appointment led to this solution.. Primark's Fashion Nails! They've got lots of different colours/patterns/embellishments available, and for only €1.50, they're a right bargain!


I chose this really cute black/clear heart printed set! There's four different styles within the pack, 3 seen above, then a clear, glittery style too!
                               
                                   

While I hadn't had a great experience with Primark nails in the past, I was quite surprised with this set! I have small nails, so I find it hard to get normal false nails to fit mine, but these one's fit almost perfectly, and aren't too long! 



What are your thoughts on false nails? Have you tried these ones, or do you have a different favourite? Let me know in the comments!

SIDE NOTE: Over the last week, this blog has reached over 1000 views, and I just wanted to acknowledged this personal accolade! I never imagined that I would get even 10 views in two months, so this is a big deal for me! I just want to say a HUGE thank you to anyone who has ever taken the time to read one of my posts, or even subscribe. It means more than you'll ever know. Hopefully, we'll continue getting bigger and better as 2014 rolls in! 

Until next time, and Merry Christmas!
Elle.

Find me on:
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Monday 23 December 2013

Manicure Monday #8

With Christmas a mere TWO days away, I decided to go for the most festive colour I could find in my collection. Low & behold, I stumbled across the Rimmel London LYCRA PRO Polish in the shade 319 Ruby Me. It retails for around the €6 mark, and can be found on any Rimmel stand!


Ruby Me is a true red, and is perfect for this time of year! It's got a gorgeous glossy finish, that really complements the red. I just think there is something so classy about a red polish! It has Rimmel's signature Maxi Brush, that makes for super quick applications.  It does take a couple of coats to become opaque, but dries relatively quickly!



What's your Christmassy manicure look like? Tell me in the comments below!

Until next time, and Merry Christmas, 
Elle. 

Find me on:
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Friday 20 December 2013

MUSIC | Monthly Playlist #2

This month's playlist is, of course, laden with Christmas songs, how could it not be?! I've also found some new artists that I've been loving, and rediscovered some that I'd forgotten about. Let's dive in!

1. Last Christmas - Wham
2. She Ticks All The Boxes - Bressie
3. You & I - One Direction
4. Bound 2 - Kanye West
5. U.S - Paper Planes
6. All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
7. Knee Socks - Arctic Monkeys
8. Girls - The 1975
9. Disco Love - The Saturdays
10. Don't Save Me - Haim
11. 8 Days of Christmas - Destiny's Child
12. Move - Little Mix
13. Does He Know? - One Direction
14. From Nowhere - Dan Croll
15. Rage and Romance - Bressie
16. Teenage Icon - The Vaccines
17. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday - Wizzard
18. Female Robbery - The Neighbourhood
19. Right Now - One Direction
20. Christmas (Baby, Please Come Home) - Michael Bublé

What have you had on repeat this month? Has it been all Christmas everything, or have you found some new artists? Let me know below!

Until next time, and Merry Christmas!
Elle.

Find me on:
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Wednesday 18 December 2013

FESTIVE | GRWM: Family Dinner

With Christmas only a week away, there's bound to be lots of family dinners on the horizon! I recently wore this look for a big dinner with all my family, and I think I may recreate it for our annual Christmas Eve dinner! It's not dramatic in the slightest, the main focus is on the lip colour while everything else is super neutral! Here's how I created it! 

  • For my base, I primed with NYC's Smooth Skin Perfecting Primer in the shade 684, then used my fingers to apply the Rimmel Wake Me Up Foundation in 103 True Ivory. I concealed under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, and the middle of my forehead with the Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in 3 Medium, blending that out with my ring finger. I set this with Natural Collection's Loose Powder in Warm Translucent
  • For my eyes, I primed my lids with the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden. I used my Essence Eye Liner Pen to draw a thick line on my upper lash line, winging it out slightly at the outer corners. I curled my lashes, then applied KIKO Cosmetics' Luxurious Lashes Waterproof Mascara to my upper and lower lashes. Taking the darkest shade from the Essence Eyebrow Stylist Set, I filled in any sparseness in my brows. 
  • Using my Sonia Kashuk Lip Brush, I lined my lips with MAC's Candy Yum Yum, then applied the same colour to the rest of my lips. 
  • To complete the look, I highlighted my cheekbones with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle, then set this with Natural Collection's Loose Powder in Warm Translucent
Products Used:

Outfit of the Day:


Denim Skater Skirt: New Look (€15; on sale)
Grey Tank Top: Zine @ Zumies ($6.99)
Black Leather Boots: New Look (€59.99)
Navy Cardigan (Not Pictured): Aeropostle ($31.99)
Tartan Scarf: Primark (€5)
Watch: Stand at The Outlets at Orange, California ($40)
Rings: Assorted (River Island, Primark, Dorothy Perkins, Claires) 

What are some of your favourite minimalist make up looks? If you try out this look, be sure to let me know in the comments! 

Until next time, and Merry Christmas, 
Elle. 

Find me on:
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Monday 16 December 2013

Manicure Monday #7

This weeks polish is the Rimmel London LYCRA PRO Professional Finish in the shade 500 Peppermint. It retails for around the €6 mark, and can be found on any Rimmel stand!


While it's not exactly a winter-y shade, with a little over a week to Christmas Day, the name Peppermint had me sold! It's a bright, duck egg blue, bordering on a Tiffany Box blue! The application is made quick and easy with the trademark Rimmel Maxi Brush! It's opaque in 2 coats, and dries quickly, perfect if you're on the go over the holiday season!


What polishes are you loving this week? 

Until next time, and Merry Christmas, 
Elle. 

Find me on:
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Friday 13 December 2013

BEAUTY | Sunday Pamper Session

While I have my daily skincare regime, I like to go that extra mile on Sundays to end the week, or begin it, on a good note!

I start by removing my eye make up, with the Nivea Visage Daily Essentials Extra Gentle Eye Make-up Remover and some round cotton pads. I have always used wipes to remove my make-up (these ones are €1.50 for two packs in Primark), but I've heard fantastic things about the L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution and can't wait to try it out! Next, I use the Proformula Clear Skin Cleansing Facial Wash to remove any residual make-up and clean my face. I then use Boots' Essentials Fragrance Free Cleansing Lotion and Facial Toner to cleanse and tone my skin. That's about the extent of my daily skincare routine. Here's where it gets better! 

A face mask is the best way to get your face feeling fresh and clean, and it's always a nice little treat from the normal routine. I like to use Lush's BBSeaweed Fresh Face Mask. It's super moisturising and exfoliating, reduces redness and softens and soothes! After applying the face mask, I like to use Lush's Bubblegum Lip Scrub too. This removes dead skin and flakiness, and moisturises and soothes your lips. I find this is perfect for me as I like to wear matte lipsticks, so it ensures my lips are nice and smooth. And, you can lick it right off when you're done.. Yum! When my 10 minutes is up, I gently remove the face mask and apply Nivea's Soft Moisturising Cream to finish off.  

What are some of your favourite ways to pamper yourselves? Let me know! 

Until next time, and Merry Christmas,
Elle.

Find me on:
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Wednesday 11 December 2013

FESTIVE | Get Ready With Me: Christmas Night Out

Over the Christmas season, there's always lots of nights out, whether it's a work party, a birthday, a family do, or even tackling the 12 pubs of Christmas, you'll want to look your best and most festive whatever the occasion! Nothing screams 'festive' like glitter, and lots of it. Here's my take on a glittery, smokey eye:

                                         

  • I primed my eyelids with the Elf Primer in Pearl, then took my Bad Gal Palette from Sleek patted the 'Blade' shadow just on my lid with a flat shader brush. I then buffed the 'Gun Metal' shade into the crease, and my lower lash line, and blended 'Underground' in the outer V. As an inner corner & brow highlight, I used 'Innocence' from the same palette.
  • I lined both my water & tight line with my Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Black Fever, then taking my Eyeliner Pen from Essence, I thickly lined my upper lash line.
  • I primed my face, then buffed my foundation using a Sonia Kashuk Buffing Brush. I concealed under my eyes, down the bridge of my nose, and the middle of my forehead, blending that out with my ring finger. I set this with Natural Collection's Loose Powder in Warm Translucent.
  • I curled my lashes, then used my Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Very Black to set the curl, and give definition. I used Benefit's They're Real over top for extra drama. For my brows, I used the darker shade in Essence's Eyebrow Stylist Set for fill in any sparse areas.
  • Taking the blush from Sleek's Face Form Contouring Palette in Light, I blended it out on the apples of my cheeks, then highlighted my cheekbones with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle. 
  • Using a Sonia Kashuk Lip Brush, I lined my lip liner with Barry M's Lip Paint in 156, then filled in the rest with the same colour. 

Products Used:


Outfit of the Night:

Striped Leggings: H&M (€12.99)
White Vest: Primark (€9)
Rose Gold Watch: Stand at The Outlets at Orange, California ($40)
Heeled Chelsea Boots: Primark (€20)

Do you have a go-to look for Christmas nights out? Be sure to let me know in the comments! 

Until next time, & Merry Christmas,
Elle. 


Find me on:
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Monday 9 December 2013

Manicure Monday #6

This week's manicure is one of my all time favourite polishes. It's Revlon's Nail Enamel in the shade 185 Sweet Tart.


This polish is a blue-toned, almost neon, pink. It's a creme formula that gives a glossy finish and is opaque in one coat! This colour is very cute, and is a super fun way to bring neons into winter!


What are your thoughts on neons in winter? Are they a way to brighten up dreary days or a sad reminder of the past summer?

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
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Friday 6 December 2013

FESTIVE | Christmas Bedroom Decoration

Bringing the Christmas spirit to my room was something I've always wanted, but never really made the effort to do! It can be quite expensive, and time consuming, but I've complied a quick and easy way to decorate your bedroom for the holidays!

What Christmas would be complete without a tree? I recently purchased this 3ft white tree in Tesco for €7! The ornaments come in a pack of 24, I got those in a local newsagent for €3. There's your whole tree for €10. Ace! My mum also bought me a little bear ornament with my name on it, so cute!


Candles. Candles. Candles. I have a slight obsession with Yankee Candles, can you tell? Their Christmas scents are among my favourite all time candles, these ones below in particular! I got this set as a gift the last two years running, they come in a book-like package with 12 of the signature Christmas scents! The snowman candle was purchase from Heatons for around €2.


Candles From L-R: Heatons Snowman, Yankee Candle's Home For The Holidays


From L-R: Christmas Cookie, Sparkling Cinnamon, Sparkling Snow, Balsam & Cedar.

For my window display, there's a light up acrylic tree that came my aunt got in a local book club, it was around €10. The fairy lights are from Heatons and they were €5 for 100. I also have 50 berry lights from Primark, €5, but I'm keeping those for my new bed! I wrapped those around my curtain pole, along with a silver beaded chain from Tesco, €1.50. 


I haven't gotten my hands on Christmas bed linen just yet, but I have spotted a few around! You can find a gorgeous set in Primark and also here, here, here, and here

Will you be decorating your bedroom for the holidays? What are some of your quick and easy ways to decorate? 

Until next time, 
Elle.

Find me on:
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Wednesday 4 December 2013

FESTIVE | Ultimate Holiday To Do List

I am a HUGE lover of Christmas, it's genuinely my favourite time of year, has been since I was a little girl! Now that December has graced us with her presence, I have complied a list of things that I think are essential at this time of year!


  • A Christmas movie marathon is essential. Nothing gets me in the festive spirit like my favourite holiday flicks!


  • Decorating the tree/house/bedroom can be tiring work, but so worth it once it's done! Keep your eyes peeled for my quick my quick & easy solution to festive bedroom decorating!
  • Nothing screams 'CHRISTMAS' to me quite like the smell of freshly baked goods around the house! Cookies, cakes, brownies, pies, anything can be made festive by adding some cinnamon or vanilla. Yum! Also, building and decorating gingerbread houses/people are a fun activity! 
  • What baking & decorating activity would be complete without some Christmas tunes? Here are some of my favourites: (you can peep my Christmas playlist here)
    Baby, It's Cold Outside - Glee Version
    All I Want For Christmas Is You - Mariah Carey
    Last Christmas - Wham
    White Christmas - The Drifters
  • Curling up by the fire with a good book/movie, and a cup of tea, while all the lights from the tree twinkle around you.. It's like something straight from the movies!
  • One of my most favourite Christmas activities is basking in the festive atmosphere around my city! I also find Dublin is extra magical at this time of year!
  • I'm not sure how common this is in other households, but my family & I love driving around, looking at the light displays around town!
  • It's one of my most treasured holiday pastimes, but I know for a fact that I'm a terrible gift wrapper! Unless it's square or rectangle, I'm useless! Oh well
  • One of the more sentimental holiday musts is, of course, family time, There's nothing quite like spending quality time with loved ones! I especially love all the get-togethers my family have, it's nice to be all in the same place for once! 
  • Last, but by no means least, "THE BEST WAY TO SPREAD CHRISTMAS CHEER IS BY SINGING LOUD FOR ALL TO HEAR" Thanks Buddy the Elf! (Refer to number 4 for all your holiday tunes!) 

What are some things on your Holiday To Do list? Have you got any Christmas traditions that you just have to uphold? Let me know in the comments below! 

Until next time, 
Elle. 

Find me on:
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Monday 2 December 2013

Manicure Monday #5

This week's polish is Sally Hansen's Complete Salon Manicure in 670 Midnight in NY. This can be purchased from any Sally Hansen retailer. I'm not too sure on pricing, as it varies, & my bottle was actually a gift!

Midnight In NY is a glossy, black polish. It's got a very subtle shimmer throughout, which can be seen when the light hits it. It's a great twist on the classic black polish! The formula is quite thick, and is opaque in two coats. The brush is wide too, which makes for a quick and easy application!


What polishes are you loving this week?

Until next time,
Elle.

Find me on:
Twitter - Tumblr - Instagram @ellebolger - Bloglovin'