Una Brennan's Super Facialist Must Have Face Masks

My skin at the moment is going through a bit of a nightmare phase. One minute it is dry and dehydrated and the next my skin is covered in acne breakouts. So I decided to buy a mask that would help to calm the dryness and also one that would clear out the toxins from my skin and help keep acne under control.

So on a whim I headed to Boots (as you do) and came across the Una Brennan skincare line. I bought (without giving it much thought to be honest) the Rose Hydrate Intense Moisture Mask and the Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask. Since I got these I haven't looked back. I feel that no matter what my skin concern is I can apply either of these masks and my skin will reap the benefits.

So....what do the products claim to do?

Well the Rose Hydrate Mask claims to "Boost skin moisture levels and radiance". This it does. I love using this when my skin is dehydrated but I also love to use it on special occasions when I want my skin to have a glow because it really does freshen and lift the skin. 

This mask can be used on all skin types including sensitive so you don't have to worry about irritation after using it. The ingreadients include White Willow extracts (increases cell turnover), Vitamin E, Urea and Soothing Marhsmallow all of which will hydrate and replenish the skin. 

It states on the tube to apply this one or twice a week but I tend to go between this and the Tea Flower Mask depending on my skin concerns.  I find if you apply this a few minutes before you apply your makeup, rinse, moisturise and then apply your foundation your skin will be subtle and plumped and your makeup will look amazing. Give it a go!!!

The consistency of this mask is almost like a lotion but it is seriously hydrating.

Both masks only cost €10.99 each for a 125ml tube. They are are currently on offer in Boots. The range is exclusive to boots and can be purchased in stores or online at www.boots.ie.

The Tea Flower Deep Clean Pore Purifying Clay Mask is one of the best detoxing face masks I have ever tried. It claims to "Clear your skin of dirt, excess oils and toxins which lead to breakouts". Does it stand up to it's claims? Hell yeah!!!! This mask will draw out all your impurities but it doesn't strip the skin of oils like other masks do. I often breakout after using this but its not because my skin is irritated by the product but because this gets rid of all the nasties from your skin, better out than in I say!! I also LOVE this mask for when I have active breakouts because I feel it calms the spots and reduces the ugly redness. My spots don't seem to last as long as they used to because I think this kills them quicker or something like that...

It contains Salicylic Acid which is a skin savior in my eyes as it really aids in unclogging pores and healing acne breakouts. It also contains "oil-absorbing Dead Sea Mud" which is amazing for calming and detoxing the skin and Avacado oil which is great for rebalancing the skin. An all round marvel mix for acne prone skin. 

The consistency of this mask is thick and mud like. When applied to the skin it is wet but as it sets on the face it dries. To remove this I suggest using a hot face cloth as it can be tough to get off sometimes. Hold the hot cloth over your face for a few seconds before removing the mask which will help loosen the product. 

Again this mask can be used one to twice a week for 5 minutes but as I said I rotate depending on my skins condition. Unfortunately I use this one more often as I have acne breakouts alot.

Consistency: Left:Rose Hydrate Right:Tea Flower

Overall these masks are amazing value for money as they really work wonders on the skin. They don't feel over-perfumed or synthetic in any way and I have not had an reaction to them at all (I have very sensitive skin). I adore the smell of them both as you can really smell the ingredients of each one, which usually means that there is a high content of the ingredients in the product and not overly packed with nasty additives. 

I am excited to try other offerings from Una Brennan's range as these two masks have made me a very happy girl. I feel like for every skin disaster there is an Una Brennan Mask to fix it!! 

The Summer Edition Part One : Makeup must haves for Summer 2013

We all love to look our best at all times but the good weather can bring some makeup mishaps!! To avoid unsightly panda eyes and oily faces check out my below makeup essentials to keep your face in place and looking good all summer long

My first essential is the infamous primer by Smashbox in the light version. This is a great base for summer makeup as its not greasy and is very light so it will not cause breakouts or excess oil.

If you don't want to wear heavy makeup I would recommend trying a BB Cream. These are great as they provide a light coverage while at the same time cut out having to use loads of products on the skin as they will also moisturise the skin aswell as providing you with an SPF . My favourite is Dr Jart+ water fuse BB Cream which contains a whooping SPF 25.

If you prefer to wear something with a little more coverage my favouite liquid foundation at the moment is Mac's Studio Fix fluid. This foundation stays in place all day so won't leave you looking like a grease monkey.

I am loving Boujour's summer collection. They have amazing cream products which are great for the Summer weather. My two favourite's are:

Cream Blush. They are great for giving a beautiful flush to your cheeks without looking too cakey and powdery. These little beauties come in 4 different shades so there is one to suit everyone skin tone.

I am a big fan of cream bronzers and this one is definitely a must have. Boujour's bronzing primer is amazing to use to add colour to the face. I use this either as a cream contour or as a bronzer for a beautiful sunkissed look. Check out my full review here

To set all your cream products an amazing product to use without looking too made up is Mac's Mineralised Skin Finish Natural. This gives such a beautiful finish to the skin and keeps your cream products in place all day long. 

A great finishing step is a makeup setting spray. My favourite is Urban Decays All Nighter setting spray. Urban Decay also have other setting sprays in their line for different skin types so there will be one to suit all skin types. 

I don't like to wear too much products on the eyes during the summer but below are a few of my essentials for making summer eyes pop!

Cream shadows are great for summer and Makeup Forever do an amazing range of waterproof cream products in their Aqua line. Their cream shadows are amazing and will not budge during the day. The range of colours are absolutely beautiful and definitely worth the money. 

Colour Mascara is a fantastic way to brighten up eyes. Again Boujour have a great range this summer. These really add something special to the eyes.

And last but not least we need to add a hint of colour to the lips. I am really into the chubby sticks this year and Clinique do an amazing range. At first I thought they wouldn't add any colour but they really do and are also moisturising. These are great for popping in your handbag as they are easy to apply on the go and don' get sticky in the heat.

Well that's it for my summer essential makeup products. If you would like to see a post on my summer skincare, fake tan, body or haircare routines please let me know via facebook!! I hope you found this little post helpful and enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts. 

Big Kisses

xxxxx

My everyday Mac Essentials

Over the last few months I have really started to love Mac again. As a teen I was obsessed with this brand but then as I got more interested in makeup and learnt more about it I started to try new brands. However, as I am a self confessed Youtube addict I watch so many different makeup "gurus" and some of them are Mac makeup artists and so use alot of the products in their videos which made me want to  try them out again. When I use Mac I always feel like you can rely on the products because they always seem to deliver great long lasting results(well except for one or two of them).

My everyday makeup routine consists of five Mac products, amongst other brands of course!!! So if you would like to know which products I use the most from Mac then keep reading:

I am loving Studio Fix Fluid Foundation (I am shade NC20 at the moment). This foundation is very light on the skin but has amazing coverage and lasts all day. This doesn't cause me to break out either which is fantatsic, I am such a fan of this. It has an SPF of 15 in it which is very handy indeed. 

To set the foundation I adore Mineralized Skin Finish Natural (shade Medium). This just gives a beautiful veil to the skin that looks "natural" but holds makeup in place all day. If you are oily I would recommend using a blotting powder under this to eliminate oil production during the day. This is also great buffed onto bare skin for a light coverage on days when you don't fancy wearing a full face of makeup.

Melba Blush Powder has to be my all time favourite blush. It is a matte peachy rosy colour that looks well on all skintones and is great for all seasons. I love it in the summer to add a peachy fresh glow to the skin but then its great in the winter with a dark lip and pale skin. A definite must have for all occasions. 

I love Mac's paint pots as eye primers.My favourite one is Painterly. This is a flesh coloured cream eyeshadow that evens out the skintone on your eyelids and preps the lid for eyeshadow. It also makes your eyeshadow go on effortless and last, crease-free all day.

To add a nice tint to the lips for everyday without looking OTT I love to use Cultured Lipglass. This is a beautiful pearly pink colour that goes so well with alot of makeup looks. Its an easy colour to use as you don't need to think about if its going to work with your look because its sure to !!

Melba Blush,Cultured Lipglass and Painterly paint pot

Well that's the five Mac products that I use in my everyday makeup routine. What Mac products do you like best?? I will be adding to my Mac collection soon I am sure so would love if you could all recommend your fav products so I can check them out. Have a great day my beauties. xxxxx

Summer Lovin'- My new addiction

I am a massive fan of cream face products and also bronzing products so when I came across the new Boujour Bronzing Primer I was intrigued. I have used the Soleil Tan De Chanel for a long time and am a big fan but this new beauty wins hands down in the bronzing battle.

The Boujour Bronzing Primer is marketed as a primer but I much prefer it as a cream bronzer. I use this to add a light sun-kissed glow to the areas of my face that get the sun most (temples, cheeks, nose, chin etc) or I use it to contour the hollows of my cheeks, it all depends really on the look I am going for.

Beautiful mousse like texture. Not oily at all but yet feels moisturizing

The texture of this product is like none I have seen before. It a whipped mousse texture which is so easy to blend. The colour is perfect on all skin-tones (except dark) and doesn't add a cakey, muddy look to the skin but instead add a simply stunning glow that just makes the face look radiant....ah I am in love!!

Before- I only used a tiny amount...oh look how pale I am !!!

After the product is blended into the skin using my fingers-the glow is beautiful

Oh and the smell....what can I say. The scent is a mix of sweet orange blossom and cocoa so it smells like you could eat it (probably not the best idea)!

I also love the fact that it is moisturizing to the skin but doesn't make the face oily in anyway. This would be a great product to wear alone instead of foundation on holidays (be sure to wear an SPF if you are in the sun as this doesn't contain one) or on days that you just don't want to wear makeup but want a "glow". To apply this I use a Real Techniques buffing brush and gently buff the product into the areas I want to add the colour to. You could also use your fingers but be sure to work the product in well to avoid product build up.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush from the Core Collection

I got the bronzer on special in Boots for €8.99 but I think the usual price is around €13. Compared to the Chanel one which costs almost 4 times this it is a definite bargain buy that will be a summer staple in my makeup bag this year and hopefully for many years to come.

Let me know if you have tried this and what you think of it, I would love to hear your views.

Love and kisses xxxx

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Review

So anyone that has followed me for the last few months would know that I struggle with extra sensitive skin prone to acne breakouts but at the same time I am a makeup addict!! So when I was given the opportunity to try a makeup brand that was good for my skin and created with sensitive skin in mind I leaped at the chance. 

ABOUT THE BRAND

Beauty Professionals have all loved and trusted ALPAPARF Milano for over two decades now. This well known name has given us high quality and reliable skincare and haircare for a long time now and their most recent additional to their portfolio is no exception!!! 

Introducing DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE a range of makeup products that have been scientifically researched and developed aswell as tested by dermatologists and opthamologists to reduce the risks of irritations and allergic reactions to the skin. The entire range is fragrance and paraben free and it claims to give women natural products but that perform just like our usual cosmetic brands that are full of lots of nasties. 

DECODERM offers a range of products in the line from amazing under makeup primers to on trend lipsticks and everything in between!

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE

PRODUCTS I TRIED AND TESTED

So on to the good stuff now. The products I tried and loved are: 

-16H Aqua Foundation in Shade 03 (slightly too dark for my normal skin but beautiful with tan)

-Hydra Blush in Shade 02

-3D Magnificent Gloss in Shade 03 

Love the pump bottle. Makes application easy

I have an obsession with foundation but often breakout when I try new ones so was really excited to give the 16H Aqua Foundation a try. The reason I chose this one over the other foundations in the range was because it claims to keep skin moisturised (but not oily) while staying in place for 16hours+, my type of foundation!! My experience with this foundation was nothing but positive. I adore the texture of this product, the minute its applied you can feel it giving you the hydration that your skin needs but without adding any unwanted oil to the skin. The coverage is very good but not OTT or cakey and definitely does last a long time with no more powder touch ups than I have to do with other foundations. I also love the fact that this foundation has natural protective filters that helps protect the skin against UV Rays.

3D Gloss and Hydra Blush swatch

The Hydra Blush is my favourite product from the three I tried. This little beauty actually contains Hyaluronic Acid which is amazing for keeping elasticity and moisture in the skin. This blush blends effortlessly and stays put all day. I noticed that my cheeks seemed flawless and almost airbrushed when I applied this blush so I had to do some investigation and it is made from soft focus powders which aid in masking imperfections and also diffuses light. The colour I chose is a rosy colour that gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks but is buildable so you can apply as much as you want to get your desired look. This blush is in no way cakey or powdery and is a definite staple in my makeup kit from now on. 

Great Brush Applicator

The 3D Magnificent Gloss also contains Hyaluronic Acid which is great in a gloss as it adds and maintains moisture to the lips.I chose a peachy coral colour in the lipgloss as this would be one that I would use on an everyday basis so thought this would be best to try out for you all. Again, I have nothing bad to say about this product. It adds a beautiful sheen to the lips and definitely does plump them up (without that tingle feeling). My favourite thing about this product is the applicator. It is a brush type applicator that makes applying the product very easy and is not messy in anyway. Love this. I love to layer this over lipsticks to add a new dimension to the colour of the lipstick. I did notice a beautiful pout to my lips after trying this gloss and this is thanks to the amazing ingredients jam packed into this little tube. It contains a blend of Volulip and Hyaluronic Acid that work together to give a great power pout combination. 

So when I apply my makeup now using DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE Products I think all the boxes are ticked.

-Flawless skin without breakouts....TICK

-Flushed cheeks that last all day......TICK

-A beautifully mositurisered and voluminous lip.....TICK

Love the embossed logo on the blush

The packaging of this brand is so on trend too. Its very sleek and understated but they have great little added touches to some of their products. I love the powder products because they have the DECODERM logo engraved into the powder, a pretty added bonus. 

Ok so I think I best stop rambling now. As you can tell I love this brand and am really happy to have been given the opportunity to try this. People in general (and I am no exception) are often skeptical to try makeup brands that are not from the usual makeup houses such as MAC, Estee Lauder, Lancome etc but I think the lesson learned here is that we need to experiment more because if we don't we may be missing out on hidden treasures like this brand that will not only give us great looking skin but will give us increased skincare benefits. 

DECODERM MAKE UP|CARE can be purchased from Zinc Hairspa and its very reasonably priced. The 3D Lipgloss is €14.90, the Hydra Blush is €15.90 and the 16H Aqua Foundation is €26.50. The ladies in the salon are so friendly and will be happy to help you choose the right products for your skin type and makeup needs. Definitely worth a look and a try! 

Thank you for reading my review and I would love to hear if you have had any experience with this brand. One thing for sure is that I am its new biggest fan. 

Have a lovely day.

Big Kisses xxxx

**I did receive these products for review but am in no way paid by Zinc Hairspa or Decoderm. The opinions above are 100% my own honest opinions. Thank you**

Bridal Beauty Bag Essentials

For a bride on her wedding day there are a few essential beauty products that she should have with her or give to her bridesmaids for her touch-ups during the day. 

These include:

-A Makeup remover pen. Revlon do a great one of these. They are little pens that correct any makeup smudges etc. Although the majority of the time your makeup will stay in place all day it may get smudged under the eye if there are a few tears. If you do not have this a q tip slightly dampened will do a good job too.

-Concealer-If your only issue is dark under-eyes then I would suggest a wand type concealer for under-eyes. A great one is Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat or a cheaper alternative is the Maybelline Dream Lumi touch Concealer . Both are great for waking up tired eyes. If you have any blemishes on the day carry a concealer specifically for blemishes with you. A really great product is the Soap&Glory Kick Ass Concealer. This is so compact and contains a concealer for under eye and blemishes and also a powder for setting your concealer. 

-Eye drops- For eyes that get dry or tired throughout the day or even red from crying with happiness

-Powder Compact or Oil Blotting paper- To get rid of excess shine after a long day. The Rimmel stay matte powder is a miracle worker for controlling oil and I also love the e.l.f blotting paper for getting rid of excess shine. Blotting paper is so handy as it can be slipped in your bag without taking up too much room.

-Lip-liner, Lipstick& Lip gloss- For touch-ups. 

A small bottle of your wedding perfume-Often wedding perfumes come with small tester sizes, if not ask at the counter for one when you purchase your wedding perfume.

Deodorant- It can be a long day so come prepared

Hairspray-In case your hair gets messed from people constantly hugging you.

A Matte Bronzing powder-Often Bridal makeup is very natural for daytime and some brides like to warm their skin up slightly for the evening time. This can be easily done with a bronzing powder. I love Hoola by Benefit or Too faced Chocolate soleil matte bronzer. 

A black Kohl pencil-Also some brides like to apply a black liner to the waterline of their eyes for the evening to add a more night-time look to their makeup. This can be easily done also. If you can get your hands on Avons Supershock gel pencil liner this baby will stay put all night. 

The main thing to carry with you is a big smile and a relaxed attitude so that the day of your dreams is one you will thoroughly enjoy and cherish forever. Congratulations and the best of luck to all of the people getting married in the coming months. xxxx

April 2013 Beauty Favourites

I was loving a heck of alot of things for the month of April but alot of them were towards the end of the month so I think I will leave some of them until May favourites as I have no doubt I will be loving them this month too. Although my April favourites do consist of some fanatastic products that I am obsessed with at the moment

I have to start off with my favourite product of April. Thebalm's Mary Lou Manizer is the best highlighter I have ever tried...period. This gives the most amazing champagney golden highlight to the skin without looking overly sparkly or glittery. Its stunning for skintone and for any occassion. This cost me €18.75 from FeelUnique and I have to say its the best money I have ever spent. I love to apply this to the top of my cheekbones and under my browbone for a real natural but noticable glow to the skin. Let me know if you would like a more indepth review on this.

Dr. Jart+ Waterfuse Beauty Balm is an absolute favourite of mine. This will remain a staple in my makeup collection for a very long time. Check out my full review on this little beauty. 

Oh what can I say about MAC Studio Fix Fluid. This has saved my life (well not literally) in April. I rediscovered this recently and cannot believe how much coverage it gives me and how long it lasts on my skin. I think this is around €31 from any MAC counter. I am shade NC20 without tan or with a light tan. I am having acne breakouts at the moment and people keep telling me how well my skin looks. If only they could see whats under my layer of MAC studio fix fluid!!! I love to pair this with the DR Jart BB Cream for a beautiful fresh face that covers well but doesn't look cakey. 

To set my face of makeup and keep it in place all day I love to use Urban Decay's all nighter spray. A few light sprays gets rid of that powdery look to your skin but yet keeps your foundation locked in all day. I also love to use this during the day to freshen up my makeup. I have definitely noticed a considerable difference in the length my makeup lasted after using this. This product is between €23-€28 depending on where you purchase it from. I find Beautybay is the most reasonable and they offer free shipping. Urban Decay also offer other setting sprays for different skin types including one called De slick which is for oily skin. The all nighter tends to work for my normal/combination skin but I know people who have oily skin and swear by the De slick version so be sure to check out the full range before purchasing.

Daniel Sandler is a well renouned makeup artist with lots of celebrity clients under his belt. I have been a fan of his makeup for many years and his watercolour blushes have to be my favourite. They are a water type blush that is applied to the apples of your cheeks to give a beautiful flushed look to the skin. These blushes are very natural looking but really add that wow factor to any makeup look. I have four of these blushes and plan to buy more soon. If you would like to see a more indepth review on these let me know. You can purchase them from Beautyemporium.

In April I found my favourite mascara of all time (well so far anyway). I was and still am in love with Clinique's High Impact Mascara in Black. This gives my lashes so much volume without clumping or looking spidery. A great mascara that doesn't flake and adds depth and intensity to your eyes, what more can I say!! Oh yes the price, this mascara will set you back €19.50 and is available at any Clinique counter. 

Another Clinique product I am loving is the Chubby Sticks Moisturising Lip colour Balm especially in shade Whoppin' Watermelon. This is a great little lip product that is easy to use and adds a really lovely sheer but noticeable shine to the lips. I love this for everyday use. They are also very moisturising on the lips. This product is €19 from any Clinique counter.

I am still loving the Karora self tan mist. This gives me such a beautiful tan without any streaks and is effortless to use. Check out my review for more details. 

And last up is my favourite haircare product of the moment. Its the cult Moroccanoil Original. I am obsessed with this stuff and start to panic when I forget to put it into my hair as I know my hair just won't be quiet right without it. I apply this to damp hair after I wash my hair or sometimes I use this to defrizz my hair after blowdrying it. It takes the frizz away very easily and doesn't weigh your hair down at all. There are many oils on the market that are trying to outdo this but in my opinion there is nothing that can beat this little beauty. This is an expensive product (around €40 for a 100ml bottle) but its an investment as your hair will definitely be less dry and much healthier looking with this. 

Well that's what I have been loving in April and am still loving today. If you have any favourites that you are loving please let me know as I am always in the market for trying new products.  Also if you want an indepth review on any of the products above please let me know. I hope you found this useful and thank you for taking time out to read this. Big Kisses and have a fantastic LONG weekend.  XXXX