BEAUTY | What's In My Makeup Bag?

Two posts in one week? Who do I think I am?! This is a little bonus post because after next week, I'll be away until the middle of September!

I'm an over-packer. It's a sickness, I admit it. I may pack 4 outfits for every day, but I've learned my lesson when it comes to makeup. I normally pack two bags full for trips, and wear less than half of it. I like to have options, okay?! Knowing the climate in Orlando, I won't need a full face of makeup AT ALL!

For my skin, I'll need my Nivea Essentials Day Cream, and Vaseline Spray & Go Moisturiser, This is such a no mess, no fuss product. Perfect for those of us that aren't great at remembering to moisturize every day. Oops! I couldn't forget some Fix + and Strobe Cream. I know I'm not the only person who wants their highlight seen from space! I also popped in a mini Garnier Micellar Water for all my makeup removal needs!

As for the rest of my face, I've got my Anastasia Brow Wiz in Dark Brown and Essence Clear Brow Gel for brows. The Brow Wiz is perfect for travel, with it's built in spoolie! For eyes, I only need my trusty Rimmel Wonderfull Mascara. So this is maybe where I went a little overboard. Oops! When it comes to lip options, I've got MAC's Candy Yum Yum, Flat Out Fabulous, Velvet Teddy, and Russian Red, as well as two Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Audacious and Shameless. 
NYX Lip Pencil in Pinky, Fuchsia, Hot Red and MAC Lip Liner in Stripdown

And that's all she wrote. So maybe I haven't learned my lesson that well!
Baby steps!

Until next time, 

Elle x

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BEAUTY | USA Haul

No trip to America is complete without sampling the beauty goods on offer! I didn't venture out of my usual haunts too much, although having now experienced the wonders of Ulta, I think I've found a new fave! I did stick to Target & Walmart for the drugstore side, I just found they were cheaper in comparison to the likes of Walgreens and CVS. Let's dive in, because we've got a lot to get through..

DUTY FREE 

- Chanel Perfection Lumiere in 30 Beige €37 

WALMART

Clockwise from Top Right:

- Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Comfort Zone $4.68

- ELF Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder Duo in St. Lucia $3

- Hard Candy Glamoflage Concealer in Medium Light $6.00

- L'Oreal Paris True Match Foundation in W5 Sand Beige & W6 Sun Beige $8.97

- ELF Studio Matte Lip Colour in Natural $3

- Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Black Cherry $4.59

- Maybelline Master Precise by Eye Studio Liquid Liner in Black $5.94

- Maybelline The Nudes Eyeshadow Palette $9.98

- Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer in Radiant $6.44

- ELF Concealer Brush $3

- ELF Small Stippling Brush $3

- Wet n' Wild Color Icon Single Eyeshadow in Spiked .93c

MAC COSMETICS

Clockwise from Top Right:

- Nocturnals Pigments and Glitter/Black and Gold $26 from The Cosmetics Company Outlet

- Pro Longwear Lip Pencil in Staunchly Stylish $20

- Cyber Satin Finish Lipstick $16

- Sin Matte Finish Lipstick $16

- Peaches Sheertone Blush $22

- Fix+ $22

- Naked Pigment Mini $10

SEPHORA

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown $18

- Benefit Hoola Bronzer $28

TARGET

Clockwise from Top Right: 

- CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara in Very Black $6.99 

- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circles Eraser in Light $6.99

- Maybelline ColorSensational The Elixir in Breathtaking Apricot & Caviar Couture $6.79

- Wet n' Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Stoplight Red $1.99 

- Maybelline ColorSensational Matte in Daringly Nude $5.49

- Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain in Rio Rush $7.49

- Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer Balm in Coquette $6.99

- Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Audacious and Shameless $6.99

- ELF Bronzing Brush $1

- Up & Up Eye Definition Brush Set $4.99

- L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush $6.99

- Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded $5.99

- Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells $2.94

- Maybelline Fit Me Shine-Free Foundation Stick in 330 Toffee $5.99

ULTA

- Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette $49

- LORAC PRO Matte Lip Color in Merlot $16

- LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Duchess $16

- Benefit The POREfessional Mini $10

- LORAC PRO Palette $42 

Clockwise from Top Left:

- NYX Powder Blush in Peaches $5.99

- NYX Rouge Cream Blushes in Rose Petal and Ticked $5.99 each

- NYX Powder Blush in Dusty Rose $5.99

- NYX Loose Pearl Eyeshadows in Mink, Pearl White, Pearl and Sky Pink $2.99 each

- Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick in Nude Delight $6.99

- Rimmel London 1000 Kisses Lipliner $3.99 

- NYX Slim Lip Pencils in Peekaboo Natural, Plum, Hot Red, Prune and Fuschia $3.49 each

- NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams in Zurich, Cairo and Transylvania $5.99 each 

- NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk $4.49

- NYX Nude Matte Shadow in Leather and Lace $4.99

- NYX Glam Eyeshadow in Fairy $4.99

- NYX Glam Shadow Stick in Exquisite Garnet $4.49

- NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Blue $4.49

- NYX Mechanical Pencil Eyeliner in Black $4.49 

DISCLAIMER: I just want throw it out there, I am by no means trying to brag! I personally love hauls, and I know lots of others do too, I think they're a great way to find new products! 

That is it for this USA Haul, I have included prices, just incase any of you are travelling to America in the near future! It's always handy to know what to budget for! If you guys want to see makeup looks or reviews on any of these products, tell me in the comments!

What beauty goodies have you bought recently? Anything I NEED to try? Let me know below! 

Until next time, 

Elle x

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BEAUTY | What's In My Travel Make Up Bag?

While I know most people are done their summer holidays, I've yet to go on mine. I hope you'll forgive the next couple of posts, they are holiday themed. It's been torture seeing everyone's holiday snaps splashed across social media, but now, I get to have my revenge! Today's post delves into my holiday beauty essentials! This makeup bag is from Primark, by the way, I think it was around the €4 mark.

BEAUTY | Top 5 ...

I love bright lips all year round, but even more so in the summer months. There's no better time to experiment with bright, crazy colours than the sunshine season! So, what's this edition of Top 5 about? You guessed it.. My Top 5 Summer Brights!

FAVOURITES | February 2014

How is it the end of February already? This year is just flying by already. Is it the effects of growing older? Time just starts passing you by? I hope not! Anyway, this month's favourites is a little lacking on all fronts. Oops!

I've been loving Rimmel London's Lasting Finish by Kate Lipstick in the shade 101. It's like the perfect pink that I've been searching for, and to top it off, it's MATTE. My favourite!

With all the new palettes I've gotten, sometimes my Urban Decay Naked 2 gets left on the back burner! Recently though, I've been loving the shades Tease, Snakebite & Suspect. I love Tease as an allover wash of colour, and Snakebite & Suspect make for a lovely, subtle smokey eye!

My ultimate favourite this month has been having, what we like to call "wine parties", with some of my best girlfriends! There's just something so nice about getting together with your favourite people to catch up and gossip over a couple glasses of Rosé! Perfection!

Embarrassingly, or not as the case may be, all I've been listening to lately is the High School Musical soundtracks. I have no shame in my love for them! They've literally been my soundtrack for everything - blogging, cleaning, showering, you name it! I'm pretty sure the renewed obsession has come from seeing Zac Efron in That Awkward Moment last month!

What's been on your favourites list this month?

Until next time, 

Elle

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BEAUTY | What's in my Make Up Bag?

While I try to use everything in my collection, recently I've been loving a 'No Make Up' make up look! It definitely ensures my make up bag is less cluttered! I got my bag at a Primark in Portugal a couple of months ago, it was €2! What a bargain?!

In terms of face products, I am loving Rimmel London's Wake Me Up foundation. It's a perfect 'no make up' foundation as it's light coverage and super moisturising! I'm the shade 103 True Ivory. For concealer, I have my trusty Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer in '3 Medium'. I keep Natural Collection's Loose Powder in Warm Translucent for setting all that in place.

With a 'no make up' face, I usually just sweep some of Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden over my lid and I'm good to go! If I do want some colour, I like to use the Maybelline Colour Tattoos for a wash of colour on the lid. My current favourite is On and On Bronze. Maybelline's Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Very Black is my favourite mascara at the minute, and Essence Long Lasting Eye Pencil in 01 Black Fever is my favourite eye pencil of all time! No matter what, brows are my number one priority, which means this Sleek Brow Kit in 818 Dark is always close to hand!

Carmex Lip Balm is my saviour. When it's not in my make up bag, it's in my handbag. It does exactly what it says on the tin, quite literally, it soothes, it relieves, it moisturises! I especially love the cherry flavour! For added colour, I keep Rimmel London's Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in the shade 101 close!

In terms of tools, I use my hands for my foundation and concealer, but these two are my best friends! No matter what's in my make up bag, I always have a brow/lash comb and an eyelash curler - this one is from Boots!

What's in your make up bag? Let me know below! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

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BEAUTY | The' Pink To Make The Boys Wink' Haul

While this isn't a huge haul, I had some gift cards leftover from Christmas, and discovered the Wet n' Wild stand in my local Dunnes Stores, so my spending was a little warranted!

I think I went a little crazy with the lip products. Oops! It began as a search for a pinky-nude, but escalated quite quickly. Oops again! In my defense, I can't help myself when it comes to lip products, I throw all caution to the wind! Can you blame me? I had a gift card from Sam McCauley's Chemist taking up residency in my purse, so I thought that should be my first stop! There I picked up the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss in the shade 101, Catrice's Ultimate Shine lipstick in the shade 250 Yes We Can-dy, and one of the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Apocaliptic. I then headed over to Dunnes Stores and picked up a Wet n Wild Mega Slicks Lip Balm Stain in 127 A Stiff Pink. 

L-R: Yes, We Can-dy, 101, A Stiff Pink, Apocaliptic. 

I also picked up the Catrice Camouflage Cream in 020 Light Beige in Sam McCauley's. While perusing what the new Wet n Wild stand had to offer, I came across their Wild Shine Matte Top Coat. Having been undecided about the Barry M Matte Nail Paints, I snatched this up. This way I can turn any nail polish matte! Ace! I also picked up another Wild Shine polish in French White Crème. 

That's it for this haul! If you want me to review any of these, let me know in the comments! What have you been hauling lately? Have you tried anything from Wet n Wild yet? 

Until next time,
Elle. 

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Manicure Monday #12

After some recent humming and hawing, I decided to reevaluate Manicure Mondays here on my blog! Not only was a weekly nail post becoming tedious, but my nails were paying the price too! While I still plan to post every Wednesday and Friday, Monday posts will either be bi-weekly or monthly. For the moment, I'm leaning more towards the last Monday of the month. What do you think?! Also, would you prefer to see a round up of all the polishes and nail things I've been loving or just a standard, run-of-the-mill mani post?

This week, I went for a nude polish, and it's Rimmel London's Lycra PRO in the shade 365 Beige Style. I'm quite sure if this range has been discontinued or not, but Rimmel's Salon Pro in Get a Nail Tan or Beige Babe would be similar! They retail at around the €6 mark, and can be found on Rimmel stands.

At the minute, I'm really drawn to neutral nail colours, lots of white, nudes, grey and black. I love how they look on the nail, and are perfect for the dreary winter months! Beige Style is a very subtle, glossy nude.Like all the Lycra PRO polishes, it's easy to apply and fast drying. This colour is quite sheer, but it works well oddly enough! Of course, if you want it to be more opaque, the colour is definitely buildable!

What are your thoughts on neutral nails? 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 #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. 

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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. 

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FAVOURITES | November 2013.

I've got a wide range of favourites this month, some new, and some rediscovered, so let's jump right in!

My first favourite this month is Rimmel's Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Liner in Nude. I find this liner is perfect for any daytime make up look, as it's not as dramatic as black liner. The nude also helps open up your eyes, and helps make you appear more awake! Perfect for early mornings after those late nights! These go for €5.49 from any Rimmel retailer.

Next up is the Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof Mascara in Very Black. If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I buy two things obsessively; mascara & lipstick! I just can't get enough! The thing I love most about this particular mascara is that the brush is quite small & thin, making for precision application. Ace! I've taken to curling my lashes, using this to set the curl, then going in with Benefit's They're Real to finish off! At €7.49, it's one of Maybelline's cheaper mascaras. 

In keeping with the things I purchase obsessively, my next favourite is, of course, a lipstick! It's 17's Stay Pout Lipstick in the shade Delinquent. Delinquent is a bright fuchsia pink and has great staying power on the lips. The formula is not drying in the slightest, and the finish keeps your lips looking moisturised! The entire Stay Pout collection is fantastic, they have a great range of shades and don't break the bank! The range is available from Boots, and retail at €5.69.

I've raved about Bleach London products countless times before (see here & here), but I'm not done yet! This month, I am loving their Super Cool Colours. What started as an innocent ombré with their Bruised Violet dye, turned into an all over colour in a matter of days! First time around, I diluted the dye with conditioner to get a muted, almost pink shade. A week later, I left the dye undiluted, and simply went for it! The result? A gorgeous, rich true purple! If like me, you want a quick & easy way to change it up a bit, then here is your solution. Simply shampoo your hair, towel dry it, and pop in your Super Cool Colour of choice. Et volià, you have transformed yourself! The dye lasts 2 to 10 washes, depending on your own hair colour, so it's not a huge commitment. They've got a great range of colours too! Can you tell that I'm totally in love with the Bleach brand yet?! I can't wait to try out some more of the colours! The Super Cool Colours retail for €6.79, and are available from select Boots stores & Boots online.

A couple of weeks ago, I posted my Ultimate Wishlist, and on said list was American Apparel's Denim Sherpa Jacket. Retailing for €135, it was, and still is, way out of my price range! Fear not, Primark has come to the rescue once more! They have a mid-wash denim sherpa jacket in stock, a dead ringer for American Apparel's one, and at €21, it's a fraction of the price AA are charging. Score! I honestly haven't stopped wearing it since purchasing. 

Last, but by no means least, we have the fantastic lads in One Direction and their 3rd studio album, Midnight Memories. Pegged to take top spot on all charts this side of Christmas, Midnight Memories is deserving of all the praise and success! There's not really much else I can say without gushing embarrassingly! Being completely honest, there is nothing about Midnight Memories that I don't like! I can tell it'll be on repeat indefinitely! One thing I will say, go for The Ultimate Edition. You can thank me later! Midnight Memories is available for download from iTunes, as well as in stores worldwide.

What are some of your favourites this month? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,
Elle.

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BEAUTY | Mini Boots Haul

Boots has become my downfall. I am totally obsessed, have you guessed yet? I can't seem to step a foot near the store without happily emptying my purse. Oops! Two recent visits to my local store resulted in this haul. With the 3 for 2 offer currently going on, it'd be rude not to partake, don't you think? I tend to get a little carried away, and it happens way more than I care to admit! Let's jump in. 

1. Seventeen Miracle Matte Foundation in Honey (€7.59)

2. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Shadowstick in Blackmail (€5.95)

3. Seventeen Stay Pout Lipstick in Going Steady (€5.69)

4. Maybelline Great Lash Waterproof in Black (€7.49)

5. Collection Primed & Ready Smoothing Make-Up Primer (€9.59)

6. Barry M Lip Paint in 156 (€6.79)

7. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Liner in Nude (€5.49)

Do you have any weaknesses when it comes to drugstores/drugstore make up? Let me know in the comments. If you want a review on any products featured, be sure to tell me! 

Until next time, 

Elle.

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