FAVES | August 2016

Hello September, it's so good to finally see you! I'm not usually one to wish time away, but I've been waiting for this month for a lifetime. Dramatic or what? I DON'T CARE, IT'S HOLIDAY TIME! I honestly feel like I haven't stopped talking about this trip. Oops! Anyway, before I go, we have to get through these favourites. Let's jump in!

First up is the Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moisture. I've actually been trialing the Miracle Moist range all summer, in the hopes of livening up my hair. Because my hair is so long and thick, I find it gets dehydrated very easily. I've tried masks and treatments, but nothing lasts longer than a wash or two. Since I started using the Miracle Moist range, I've really noticed a difference! My hair's not nearly as dry as it once was. I feel like a new woman. With the promise to hydrate in 3 minute, it's not difficult to work this miracle worker into your routine. Plus, the smell of these products is out of this world! Boots is currently running a 3 for 2 offer on all Aussie products. What more could you ask for?

Next is the Makeup Revolution Pro Fix Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray. I didn't buy into fixing spray hype for a very long time. But after trying this one, I'm converted! The spray promises to protect your makeup from all weather conditions, and a lasting time of up to 8 hours. I did find all this to be true! It does smell a little funky, but I can get over that! The Pro Fix Amazing Makeup Fixing Spray retails for around the €7 mark on the Makeup Revolution website, and can also be found at Castle Pharmacy in Waterford.

The Inglot 854 Full Metal Lip Liner is a new love of mine. With the fear that my beloved Beurre Cremestick Liner by MAC has been discontinued, Inglot has come to my rescue. 854 is the closet shade I've found to Beurre, and I've never been more excited by a dupe! It's a red-toned brown. The formula contains shea butter, so it's comfortable on the lips. This also makes it wearable by itself. It's super long-wearing too! YAY! The lip brush on the other end makes for easy application. The Full Metal lip liners retail at €15.00 and can be found here.

I was intrigued by Primark's new skincare range, so I picked up the Face The Day Moisturizer to try out. I ended up really liking it!The name suggests that it's a day cream, but with no clear indication, it can be used anytime. It absorbs quick enough, and doesn't leave the skin sticky like some moisturizers do. The smell isn't too overbearing either, which is great. The Face The Day Moisturiser retails at €2.50 (a bargain!), and can be found in Penneys stores!

Lastly, this favourite is actually a gift from one of my best friends, Kate. She just came home from a J1 summer in Montauk, and I'm obsessed with the pressies she brought us home! A Victoria's Secret makeup bag, and body mist in Love Addict. The makeup bag itself is very spacious, with two compartments, and the purple colour is just fab! I love these body mists too. They're so handy to throw in your bag, and spritz throughout the day. Plus, the fragrance range is vast, so there's something to suit everybody! While we have to wait until 2017 for our own Vicky's in Dublin, there are stores in Dublin Airport. If you're in Waterford, the body mists can be found in the Waterford Health Park Pharmacy, and Shaws Department Store!

Don't forget you guys can follow me on Snapchat (elleblgr_blog) to keep up to date with everything. Plus, tutorials and hauls sometimes make an appearance!

What have you been loving this month?!

Until next time, 

Elle x 

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FASHION | Top 5 ...

Like I said in previous posts, my holiday is fast approaching (9 days!!!!), so this last edition of Holiday Top 5 is going to be my 5 fashion must haves. I'm heading to Florida, and while I've never been there at this time of year, the average temperature for September is in the 90's (that's in the 30's for us Celsius folk!). Here's what I can't go without..

LIFESTYLE | What's In My Bag?

At the beginning of every New Year, I like to buy myself new handbag! Nothing extravagant, just a little treat, to start the year off on a good note. When I saw this bag in the Primark sale, I fell in love. Everything from the colour and size to the structure and finish drew me in, and at just €5, I COULDN'T leave it there!

I tend to over pack my bags. It's why I adore big bags, I can have everything I need for every eventuality/weather condition. It can get quite weighty! So this year, I am going to try keep my bag clutter, and junk, free! Let's see how long I last! Here's what I think are handbag essentials at any time of the year..

(Clockwise from top left) 
Umbrella. It's Ireland, chances are I'll need it at some point in my day!
Purse. Never leave home without it! I like to choose funky purses, especially if my bag is plain.
Perfume. You never know when you'll need to respray. I find perfumes nowadays have no staying power anyway, so they need to be reapplied! I always carry a deodorant with me too! The American brand Secret has been my favourite roll on for years now!
Notebook. I love making lists, whether it's shopping, packing, to do! This one is from Target, it's quite streamline, so it doesn't take up too much space! A notebook is also great if you get any ideas for blog posts, you can just jot them down! Which is why I always have several pens to hand!
Headphones. I love listening to music on the go, so headphones are essential in my handbag at all times!
Keys. Well.. for obvious reasons!
Compact Mirror. I got this mirror as a gift years ago, and I never leave home without it. It's great for on the go touch-ups, and saves me from using my front facing camera!
Lip Products. I never leave home without at least one lip balm in my bag. I am loving the Rosy Lips Vaseline and Maybelline's Baby Lips in Quenched at the minute! There's usually a lipstick or gloss floating around too!
Glasses. I don't need my glasses all the time, but it is good to have them to hand if I ever need them!

What are your handbag essentials? Let me know in the comments! 

Until next time,

Elle. 

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FAVOURITES | December 2013

Ah! It's my last favourites post of 2013. I actually started working on this post before Christmas, and then got so overwhelmed in the festive period, that I forgot to finish. Oops! I feel like this year has just gone by so fast! Crazy! I don't have many favourites this month, but let's jump right in!

My first favourite this month is the Rimmel London Scandal Eyes Eye Shadow Stick in the shade 008 Blackmail. All of the Scandal Eyes range is fantastic, but I am especially loving this crayon lately! I've been using it to create quite a grunge-y, smokey eye. Blackmail works as the perfect base, as it's super pigmented and blendable! The pigmentation is buildable, which is ideal, because you can always add, but you can't take away without having to start from scratch! The Scandal Eyes Shadow Sticks retail at €5.95.

 Next item in my December Favourites may have won a place my all time favourites. It is MAC's Candy Yum-Yum. Candy Yum-Yum is a neon, blue-based pink with a matte finish - surprise, surprise! Having seen a couple of my nearest and dearest wearing this lipstick, I had to have it. It's everything I love in a lipstick; pink, bold, and most importantly MATTE! While it's not hydrating, it's not drying in the least! Definitely might be my number one MAC lippy! Candy Yum Yum retails for €19, and can be purchased from Brown Thomas or MAC's flagship Irish store at BT2 on Henry Street in Dublin. A handy tidbit; if you sign up for a BT Loyalty Card, you can collect points that can be used for money off purchases in MAC. Ace!

For a fashion-y favourite, these Primark leggings are just the most comfortable things EVER, and they're in my favourite print right now: TARTAN! These retail at €8, and come in two different colours! I originally bought the red pair, but ended going back a week later to buy the other colour. Primark also stock a woollier version of the blue/green ones!

My last favourite for this month is One Direction's Our Moment fragrance. While I wasn't entirely sold on the band bringing out a fragrance (it seemed sort of.. gimmicky), my opinion changed as soon as I smelled it! It's described as a "sparkling, juicy and feminine fragrance" that is "made up of splashes of fresh fruit and seasonal flowers infused with undertones of warm musk." I fell in love at first whiff, it was right up my street. Even my mother said it was a 'me perfume'! I was only too happy to discover it under the Christmas tree! It ranges in price, from €27 for a 30ml bottle to €49 for a 100ml bottle, and can be found in most pharmacies and department stores.

What are your favourites of December, and 2013? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time, and Happy New Year!,

Elle

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Manicure Monday #10

Already almost a week into 2014, and I'm slacking in the blogging department. Sorry! It's time to pull up my socks and get down to business! I'm really excited about what this new year could bring, and I can't wait to bring you all along with me!

This week's manicure is a combination of things really! Like last week's post, I still have the Primark false nails on, as well as Elf's Nail Polish in White! This retails for around €2.96, and can be found on the Elf website, and selected stores in the US.

I wanted a clean, neutral colour to brighten up my week, as I'm battling a cold, and I just love how white looks on the nail! To add a touch of sparkle, I left two of the nails their original glitter selves! I do have some issues with the Elf polish though. For starters, it does take more than a few coats to become opaque. It's not quick drying, which makes build the colour difficult. It can also become very, very messy if you accidentally bump your nail(s) into anything, before it's fully dry.

How do you feel about white nails? Let me know if you have a favourite white polish, I'd love to try a new brand/formula!

Until next time, and Happy New Year!,

Elle

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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.

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