Skincare Staples

I don't like to spend loads on skincare. I'd much rather have an investment piece of makeup than expensive cleanser. I know there are plenty of people out there that do love to spend more money on their skincare and I should really invest more. A good friend of mine recently introduced me to a really great blog recently written by a dermatologist. Carolines cheat sheets are perfect for those of you starting out with skincare or even people like myself, who only do the bare minimum and are looking to up their game a little. 

I don't have particularly problematic skin, however I have noticed some dryness as of late around my nose and my concealer has begun to sink into fine lies under my eyes. I have been reading online and have come to the conclusion that I am in need of an eye cream, something I have never used before. Tanya Burr, a favourite blogger of mine, has recommended recently the Origins eye cream, however ranging from €32-55, this investment will require some serious thought on my part. If anyone has any recommendations or advice please let me know in the comments, on twitter or on facebook. 

At the moment I usually get up in the morning and give my face a wash after breakfast using Soap & Glory Peaches and Clean. I don't like to use a face cloth to wash my face with as I find they harbour germs, but I guess if you have the patience to wash and dry your cloth every day, go ahead! I use cotton pads which are relatively cheap and usually on offer in Boots. I'll usually apply a small amount of moisturiser and primer before going ahead and applying my makeup. 

At night I tend to have all days worth of makeup and general grime on my face so I enjoy washing my face before bed. 

If I was to choose my all time favourite cleanser it would have to be the Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser. It's leaves your skin feeling lovely and soft. When used with a muslin cloth the steam really opens your pores and helps to clear your skin. All Liz Earle products have been manufactured using totally natural ingredients and are animal friendly. 

I also really love No.7s Melting Gel Cleanser. You only need a tiny amount and it changes to a liquid on your face and leaves my skin so super soft. I like to use it in the shower, despite Carolines advice that you should not get your face wet in the shower. It feels like a real luxury product to me, and at such a reasonable price it's a must-have. 

Anyone who knows me will tell you that I have a tendency to be extremely lazy, especially after a night out, and although I may not want to go the whole hog and wash my face, I couldn't sleep in my makeup. I like to use a cleansing water on those lazy nights. I find it especially important to start with an eye makeup remover like the No.7 one and to double cleanse when using a cleansing water in order to make sure I have all of my makeup off. I currently have the Garnier Micellar Water but it doesn't quite live up to my personal favourite, No7 Cleansing Water. 

After Cleansing I usually use the No.7 toner, although I should probably invest in an acid toner like Ren Clarifying toner or the Clarins exfoliating brightening toner as I have been consistently allergic to every facial exfoliating product I've ever tried. For skin like mine which burns easily and can become a little tight in the summer, I would recommend a spray like the La Roche Posay Thermal Water. It's refreshing although it doesn't really add any lasting moisture to the skin. 

I don't like to use a huge amount of moisturiser on my face as it can make it quite oily. I'm currently using the No.7 day cream for normal/dry skin but I don't love it and will probably look for something else when I finish the pot. Anyone with suggestions please let me know. 

I find the No.7 Spot Rescue serum to be very good. I'll apply a small amount on spots before I go to bed and they can disappear in a day or so. 

Do you have any products you swear by or do something differently? Let me know in the comments below. 

Bare Minerals Review

It's been too long since my last post but this will hopefully be the start of many regular posts. I recently acquired the BareMinerals Get Started Complexion Kit in Light and have been in love with it ever since. I had always been sceptical of BareMinerals as a brand, doubting the coverage that a mineral powder could give but I must admit where I'm wrong and the Original Foundation in Fairly Light gives me just as much coverage as any liquid foundation I use. 

The kit I got is excellent value, available from Boots.ie for €58. 

It contains:

•  two original foundations in fairly light and light, both priced at €27, 
• Mineral Veil Finishing Powder, retailing at €24, 
• two foundation brushes, one for full and one for medium coverage, €28 and €23 respectively, 
• a bronzing powder costing €22, 
• a concealer brush retailing at €17
• Primer costing €23

So for €58 you're getting products worth €191 if bought separately. There's no arguing with that kind of savings. Also included in the kit is an instruction booklet and a dvd showing you how to properly use the products. I really enjoyed how quick and easy it was to apply during study month and exams. I will definitely be repurchasing! Mineral Makeup especially with the SPF included in BareMinerals Products will be perfect for the summer holidays. 

BareMinerals are also available to purchase at Brown Thomas Stores nationwide. Let me know what you think of mineral makeup.  

Another Day, Another Boots Haul

So it's now May and Summer is officially upon us, not that we would know it by the weather. It's also exam season in UCC, which has led to me being inexcusably inactive here. That will all change in the next week or so, with frequent updates and more interaction via. Social Media. It's always great to find out what people think so I will be looking to get more feedback from people regarding what you'd like to see and if there are any particular products you'd like reviewed. What can I say? I'm a people pleaser!

I've finally got around to doing a boots haul and I've picked up some pieces I'm sure I'll love. The haul may seem small because I also had my birthday recently and got a lot of new makeup there also, which will be featured in their own posts. 

I've been waiting since my March Wishlist to invest in Essie in the shade a cut above. This shade is not available on Boots.ie but retails in store for €10.99. While the colour does look amazing, I feel this is a little pricey for a brand I've not tried before. If anyone can offer any guidance on Essies' nail polishes I'd really appreciate it. 

While shopping around the makeup aisles I came across this excellent Sally Hansen equivalent which I know will be good quality. It comes from their Gem Crush range and is in the shade Razzle Dazzler. I have only used it once and forgot to take a picture before it began to chip so I've used this one to show you exactly what it looks like. 

I really liked how there is a mixed selection of glitter. It makes it look really 3D on your nail. It also can be used over other nail polishes and provides a professional finish. 

I have been looking for a nude lipliner for a while for under some of my paler lipsticks, simply to increase their staying power. I was considering the L'Oreal Infallible Lipliner  but I just felt that the packaging was really flimsy. I don't like lip/eye liners that are in plastic casing. I find that they break and I never end up using them until they run out. I instead fell head over heels in love with MaxFactor Colour Elixir Lipliner in Pink Petal. It comes out really smoothly and isn't drying or rough at all. It also matches all my pink lipsticks well. 

This brings me to my next purchase,  L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Privee in Juliannes Nude. It was a little expensive for a high-street brand lipstick but I do love the colour and it's really moisturising. 

As mentioned in my April Wishlist, I have invested in some of the Barry M. Gelly Nail Polishes. I bought them in the shades Greenberry and Blueberry, but haven't got around to trying them yet.  I'm dying to see what they are like on. They claim to give the shine synonymous with a gel manicure. I have found Barry M nail polishes to be a bargain in the past, as they are always at a reasonable price point. 

I did also buy another Sally Hansen nail polish in the shade Frutti Petutie, which is a really vibrant Coral based pink. 

The Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick has been on my list for quite a while, but the price is just too much for me to justify. So imagine how delighted I was to discover that Seventeen have produced an almost identical dupe. 

This is the shade pink bronze, but I will definitely be investing in Gold Bronze for the Summer.

Another item which has been on my list for quite a while is the Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush. This was recommended to me when I had my Smashbox Makeover. It allows you to apply gel eyeliner without the bristles from the brush moving and messing up your work.

See how neatly the eyeliner went on? This brush is a lifesaver.

Last, but certainly not least, I invested in Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Pink gold which is the most divine pink/champagne colour. Definitely worth an investment for summer. I have been using it with a champagne all over my lid, pink gold on the outer half of the lid and a taupe in my crease for every day use.

There is currently 3 for 2 in Boots Stores and on Boots.ie, including all cosmetics and makeup tools and accessories. Let me know if anything takes your fancy or if you have found any hidden gems this month.