Review- Benefit, They're real mascara.

THEY'RE REAL MASCARA

Okay, so this mascara is on the scene a good while now. Its probably one of Benefits most popular product which has such a huge hype around it. But, believe me all you have heard is true.

This is one product which definitely lives up to its expectations and more.

 My friend told me to try this mascara a year ago and since then no mascara has came close to it. It just gives you the most beautiful and long lashes. It real is unbelievable. Since I started wearing this product so many people have actually asked me if my lashes were individual eyelash extensions/false lashes. I didn't even notice the impact the product had on myself as much as others did. The products brush is so cleverly designed almost a comb effect yet still some substance and thickness to it. This gives the lashes thickness yet the comb like effect of the brush keep lashes from clumping. It just has such a good balance to it. The end of the brush is what I really love the most about it. Its comes out from the wand in a almost ball like shape with even more bristles. This is absolutely ideal for your bottom lashes. Sometimes I will hold the wand up right like a (lolly pop stick if that makes sense) and just gently go back and fort along the bottom lashes to give a very natural and swept out finished to the lower lashes rather then over doing them. This ball pointed end of the wand is also great to get to those hard to reach lashes at the inner corner of the eye! Other mascaras can just gather to much product here and trying to get in a the inner corner can become VERY messy, unlike with this mascara. The ball pointed end is also great for if any lashes do happen to get stuck together you can easily separate them using it, or you can even us the point of it to push up the lashes from their root to give an extra curl. Listen the possibilities are just endless. If you play around with enough I grantee you will find even more things to do with it!  

Like with any mascara the newness of the product wears of pretty quick. (trying to think of some bad points) Other than that it is an all round brilliant product! I don't know what I did with myself before this little baby came into my life. (Slightly dramatic) 

If your going to treat yourself to any new makeup this is the product you should be buying it isn't just a want but it is a necessity! The way you look at your mascara will be changed forever.

My everyday contour powder.

HARMONY

This product is my absolute favorite thing that I have in my makeup bag right now and it has been for some while. 
So many people have asked me to do a review on what product I use contour my face. So here it is and I hope it helps. 

Harmony is a powder blush from MAC. I don't tend to use this product as a blush that often. Instead I use it every day to contour my face and sometimes I even use it in the crease of my eyes to contour them too. It really is an amazing product. It has an ashy tone to it which is prefect for blondes but still suitable for others. I couldn't leave the house without it. It gives the most natural contour for day time. It is just a brilliant product and for me it has no flaws! I have only good to say about it. You don't need to much of the colour, which means you will have this product for ages. Me and my Mam use this product everyday and I have only recently finished the one I bought two years ago! There isn't any need to reapply it is pretty long lasting.

When contouring the face always start with only a little bit of the product on the brush.Remember you can always build up the product but its harder to take it away. I like to use my Real techniques contour brush alongside this product. It blends it into the skin perfectly. I contour below the cheek bone, if your unsure to where yours are just suck in your cheeks (you may look like a fish in the process, but afterwards you will look great trust me). I gradually sweep the product up past my temples and just around the hairline, try not to over do it with the product less is more.   

So the only thing left for me to say is BUY IT, it will do you no wrong.

Real techniques 'Contour Brush' - Core collection

Me wearing 'Harmony' as a face contour.

PRICES:
Harmony: €23
Real techniques contour brush: Is part of a Core collection, with 3 other brushes for €29 in Boots or McCabes. 

My favorite Rimmel products.

Rimmel products are great, their products are so cheap and they are constantly bringing out and updating their product list. I think we all love a bit of Rimmel don't we? Here is a list of some of my favorites.

1.STAY MATTE TRANSLUCENT POWDER.

So this is a compressed powder. It says it grantees up to five hours shine control, however I never really have to reapply this powder which is great. It really does give you shine control which is amazing especially for a night out because we all hate seeing those greasy looking photos of ourself on facebook the morning after don't we.

 I don't have oily skin as such, so I don't necessarily use this powder for its shine control (although it would be great for someone with oily skin). I use this powder to set my foundation before apply any highlighters or blushes. It really helps to keep your foundation put. I use the translucent shade because I like the colour of my actual foundation and don't to add any extra unneeded colour to my face. 

It has a buildable coverage so don't let the idea of 'matte' put you off, by thinking it is cakey or thick it is far from that. It gives a lovely finish to the face, I use this powder everyday I wouldn't be without it! It is one of my favorite products in my makeup bag right now. I would defiantly recommend this product to anyone!

PRICE: €5.99

2. NUDE DELIGHT LIPSTICK

AND

050 TIRAMISU LIP LINER

So this lip liner was actually the first lip liner that I had ever bought. I loved it instantly, and I have never gone back since. I always get people wondering what lipstick I am wearing when I wear this colour I just love it. The nude delight lipstick really is a delight it gives a lovely shine to the lips without being over done glossy. I think this two just work so well together. 

Swatch of 'Nude Delight' & 'Tiramisu'(left from right)

Tiramisu lip liner 

Me wearing both 'Nude Delight' & 'Tiramisu'

PRICES:

Nude Delight:€7.95

Tiramisu: €4.49

3. BROW THIS WAY

Okay, so two of the 'Brow this way' products from rimmel are so good. Everyone these days are obsessed with brows, especially me. I suppose you could say I am a huge eyebrow fan its probably the first thing I notice on a person, how sad am I. I don't think my brows are up to my standard yet I have serious eyebrow envy, but I do what I can to make my eyebrows look their best. 

Brow this way, Sculpting Kit

This product really helps me to make them look their best. It comes with a lovely little mini eyebrow angle brush, a mini eyebrow spooly, a powder and a gel. What I really love about this product is just how compact it is! It comes in two shades, a light and dark brown. I have naturally dark eyebrows so and I like a dark brow so I choose the dark brown. What colour you choose is completely up to you.

I love this product!I first using the spooly brush my brows into my desired shape and then I use the gel to line the shape of my brow and to fill in the tail. I then gently brush the powder through any gaps I may have, try not to over do it with the powder. This is when the spooly comes in handy to keep brushing the shadow through to give it a natural looking finish. If anyone is interested in me doing a step by step tutorial on this just ask! 

Brow this way, Styling Gel

This product comes in three colours: blonde, mid brown and dark brown. Again I choose the dark brown I love to use this product after I using the sculpting kit. It emphasis each brow hair and helps to hold the shape of the brow. You could also use the product on its own for a very natural looking brown as their is colour in the to darken your brows up for you. I really like this product and it works nicely with the sculpting kit.

  Swatches of (from left to right) Blonde,mid brown and dark brown.

PRICES:

Sculpting kit:€3.99 

Brow gel: €5.49

4. KATE MOSS, NUMBER 01 LIPSTICK.

The Kate Moss collection for Rimmel is just fab!

This is my favorite of her lipsticks, its a gorgeous red prefect its not matte but its not glossy ether its just a gorgeous texture on the lips. I cant really say much about this lipstick other then I LOVE IT! I don't even wear a lip liner with this lipstick and it never bleeds or fades like most other red lipsticks.

Swatch of Kate 'Moss 01'

Me wearing 'Kate Moss, 01'

5.MAKE YOUR MOVE- Provocalips

Because I have already did a full blog review on this range of Provocalips, I am not going to go into detail but I just couldn't mention this product without mentioning this colour because I absolutely love it. It doesn't dry my lips at all because I know that is a fear for some of you, at the start you may feel it is a little dry and maybe a tiny bit sticky but that does go away after about ten minutes, just hang in there because its worth it! I just love this shade so I had to add it in.

Me wearing 'Make your move'

I hope this post gave you a little Rimmel inspiration next time your going into buy some new Rimmel makeup. Thanks for reading hope you enjoyed it.

Bye for now,

Jessica.

Christmas gifts ideas for a budget.

Like I have said before, Christmas is a time for giving but does it really mean we have to leave our self broke? 

Just think of that miserable January when were trying to make up for our excessive spending the month before. At the end of the day its the thought that counts when it comes to giving Christmas presents. So lets spread a little joy this Christmas for less. I am going to try stick to a €30 budget for each present. Hopefully this post will cover the person that you are buying for or maybe for yourself. Please bare with me if I pick a few present ideas from McCabes pharmacy like I said before I do work there, so I know all the deals.

1.For the nail enthusiast.

Two super cute nail varnish are the prefect stocking filler with plenty of colour to chose from at only €12

2. For the one who is always on their feet.

This retails at €36 at McCabes Pharmacy, I know its six euro over budget but it is worth that little extra for someone might have a job which requires them to be on their feet for most of the day.

3.For the prefume addict.

I absolutely adore the smell of this perfume I wish I could spray it through the screen at you, but I unfortunately I cant. So you will just have to try it for yourself or try it for a friend. It is available for €9.95 at surprise, surprise McCabes pharmacy.

4.For the Bag lover/purse lover.

So one of my favorite places to buy my bags and purses from is River Island and here are two bags and a purse I think would be a gorgeous present. 

River Island has the most amazing range of purses in store and online for only €20

Their bags can range from about €20 - €100, But these two

 satchel bags I have picked up recently are only €25 there

are so many colours to choose from so you'll be sure to find

the right one!

5. For the makeup junkie.

I am a huge fan of this mascara it has a dual sided brush which gives the lashes a really nice thickness with out any clumping. It spread out the lashes and helps to exaggerate their natural curl while giving a beautiful wispy finish. This set includes a mini Khol black eyeliner pencil and the award winning 'Instyle' best buys 2014, a 30ml bottle of Bi-facil which is an instant non oily eye makeup remover, which is suitable for even sensitive skin. This retails at €27.50, you can find it at Brown Thomas and McCabes pharmacy both in Dublin.

6.For the one who likes to pamper herself.

Check out Lush Cosmetics for gorgeous little bath sets like the

one above, which start from €10.

7. For your dad.

 From McCabes pharmacy this present is very pratical and your sure your dad or any male if you life really will get lots of use out of it for a small price of  €25 and it includes this cute little hamper box.

This is very popular perfume is only €9.95 again find this great price at McCabes pharmacy.

Hope you have picked up some ideas which aren't too expensive.

Bye for now,

Happy shopping!!

Beauty tricks for less than €5

These are all of the beauty hacks that I've picked up on over the last few years. To feel and look beautiful shouldn't cost a fortune. All of the following tricks will cost you €5 or less and most of the stuff I use you will have lying around in you house.

1. VASELINE.

Vaseline is your new best friend. I will show you three ways to use it other then the everyday use of this fabulous underrated little product.

To make your eyelashes and eyebrows grow: 
Vaseline or any unbranded petroleum jelly, is hypoallergenic which means anyone can use it even the most sensitive of people. That is why it is prefect to use near the eyes. The Vaseline acts like a moisturizer/conditioner for your eyebrow hair and eyelashes. Just like your hair needs conditioner to keep it healthy and strong so does your eyelashes and eyebrows.

Firstly, I took an old mascara and I cleaned the wand using cleansing milk and an old towel. Clean the brush until their is no black coming from it. (Alternatively you could buy some disposable mascara wands.) 

Secondly, Dip the newly clean wand into your vaseline and simply just brush it through your eyebrow hair, comb the hair to your desired eyebrow shape, I find it does help with shaping stubborn brows. With the excess vaseline still on the brush run it through your eyelashes as if it wore mascara and your done. 

I tend to do this before going to bed after taking my makeup off. Do this every night for a week and i'm sure you'll notice a difference in the length and thickness of both your brows and lashes. Make sure to keep your mascara wand in a clean, safe place I keep mine wrapped in tin foil to insure no dust or dirt gets onto it.

DIY LIPSCRUB:
Lush do fab little lip scrubs like this one..

For €7 , yes it is very pretty and does a great job but why not recreate this little pot of joy at home and for less.

All one need is a half empty small tub of Vaseline I tend to use the rose tinted one just so it resembles that of lushes. Then just get a small spoon full of sugar, lush uses casting sugar but any sugar will do really. Mix it all up and you have your lip scrub simples.

Another trick I use to exfoliate my lips is just gently rubbing a tooth brush over my lips, It leaves them lovely and smooth and gives a temporarily plumping effect.

This is all prefect prep before using lipstick or any other lip products and gives the lips a lovely sweet taste.

Extra hold for your perfume:
Basically, put the Vaseline anywhere your going to put your perfume. Perfume sticks better to oily skin and smells stronger the Vaseline acts as the skins natural oil . Try it out for yourself and thank me later!


2. FOR EXTRA SOFT LEGS/ GENERAL EXFOLIATE.

 So for legs which feel and look like the ones off the Gillette Venus ad your going to need.

1. Sugar (a good 3 hand fulls)
2. One lemon.
3. Baby oil (any type of body oil really)

Firstly, mix a drop of the oil into the sugar the cut your lemon in half, squeeze the juice of the lemon into the sugar and oil and mix.

Secondly, soak your legs in the bath for about ten minutes and left your skin soften. 

Thirdly, Rub the mixture onto your legs and don't be afraid to give them a good scrub. Now shave the mixture off your legs.

Fourthly, Repeat the step above.

You will see the dead skin coming off your legs and your legs will be left as smooth as a baby's. Then all that is left to do is show of your beautiful legs, or just ask everyone you come into contact with too feel them, Believe me you will. Even if you try none of the other tips on this post, please try this you will never regret it.

Sugar and shower gel is also a great exfoliater for the rest of your body too. I never ever buy exfoliater I always just use this trick, it is especially great to get rid of false tan.

3. BETWEEN WASHES, BRUSH CLEANER.

So we all know what a pain it is too shampoo our brushes even though its very important. Its a pain to do it and its a pain to wait for them to be dry. Well here is a little tip to make the time between washes a little bit longer. 

So there is a product on the market which already does this.

It is called 'Colour Switch 'I don't think it is available to buy in Ireland yet and even if it was it would be like €20. 

So basically, to recreate this at home all you need is a hair doughnut that is all. I know its seems a little to good to be true but it is true. Any regular hair doughnut will do, just move your bushes over the doughnut in a circular motion and they will be fresh to use again, this is prefect for eye shadow brushes to remove the colour fast. Obviously you will still need to wash your brushes but this will help you hold out from doing that for a little bit longer.

4. SETTING SPRAY.

So everyone is a big fan of MAC's prep and prime setting spray which retails at €27.50 ,but it is basically the same thing as thermal water, my favorite thermal water is the La roche posay one. Yes, it is great for a hot summer day to cool you down but its just amazing as a setting spray. Just spray it on after you finish your makeup or just give yourself a spritz of it during the day to freshen your face up. It retails at only €4 for a small bottle which would be prefect to fit inside your handbag. At that price there is no harm in trying it to see if it works for you. Many people have tested it against the mac setting spray and see no difference at all.

Mac 'Prep and Prime' setting spray.

La roche-Posay, 'Thermal Spring Water'

Top five winter picks for 2014.

Okay, So these are my top five things that I think everyone needs and should have for winter because at the end of the day it is the season for giving and who better to give a present to then yourself, am I right?

1. DIVA LIPSTICK, by MAC.
So, this is my holy grail lipstick for winter it is a beautiful burgundy lip colour which makes it prefect for the Christmas season. It can be a very strong and almost vampy looking lip colour, however if you are any way shy to that kind of look just apply a tiny bit of Vaseline under it for a swash of colour rather then a full on look. But if you are like me and love a good bold lip then it is essential you team this lipstick with a lip liner! Two lip liners I think work really well with the lipstick (and most wine lipsticks) are 'currant' and 'nightmoth' both from MAC also.

2. THE WINTER COAT.

Lets face it, we do live in Ireland and even during our 'summer' we need a jacket. However, if we didn't invest in a good winter coat the whole country might just shut down and turn into icicles. The reason I say invest is because we shouldn't feel like we don't deserve to splurge a little bit when it comes to buying a good coat, at the end of the day your health is your wealth and you wouldn't want to catch pneumonia now would you, well that is how I justify it to myself. So in my opinion there are two coats which come back season after season, at this stage they are a classic. A good quality one of these and you'll have your winter sorted for good.

The camel coloured coat:

 The camel coat seems to be a timeless winter staple wether its oversized or cape styled (the cape being my personal favorite) this coat is a classic for all ages. This beautiful colour goes with everything and is a refreshing change from black. 

American apparel have this gorgeous cape in stores for around €100, like I said its a investment piece.

The second classic coat is more affordable and more practical too.  The parka: Its just like taking your duvet with you in the morning, perfect for those miserable and wet winter mornings. Everyone ladies, gents, children and your pets should and needs a parka in their life.

The third coat is the one that maybe you wouldn't want to really splash out on because you might not get your moneys worth out of it, maybe because its not that practical or maybe because it is simply just a fashion blow in. The coat I am loving this winter and have recently picked up myself is this beautiful over sized powder pink one from Penneys. Its is such amazing value at only €30!!  It is so snug and the material is great. Can't say it enough how Penneys have such an amazing range of coats in this season. I'd advise all you lady's to get in there fast because we all know what Penneys is like once they have something amazing its gone within seconds.

3. HOT CHOCOLATE.

So maybe this one is just a little obvious but, coming home on a cold winter evening there is nothing better then snuggling up to a good Christmas film and warming up yourself up with a mug of hot chocolate. Winter time, is a time when all of our summer bodies diets go out the window but now we can indulge without the guilt. Swap your regular hot chocolate for some Cadburys highlights at only 40 calories per cup. This is a must to have in your house for those chocolate cravings.

4. BIB

This year River Island brought out these cute little bibs and I am loving them. They are such a cute idea, and ideal for wearing under heavy woolly jumpers without been over heated or bulky. Its one size fits all and only €13 they have different styles in stock such as white and denim, I picked up this gorgeous tartan one and I love it.

5.THE PARTY SHOE.

Nothing says party more like these faux rabbit fur heels from topshop, although these shoes may not be for everyone I beg you to channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and give these shoes a try. (Sex and the city reference, and if your not familiar then shame on you). Topshop have a great range of these shoes, including the two pairs below. Pair these shoes with a simple dress and your ready to go. 

And on a final note...GO TREAT YOURSELF.

My small sleek collection.

Ok, so these products seem to be fairly new on the market and there has been a slight hype around them in the last year or so. I finally got my hands on them when we started to stock them where I work ( McCabes Pharmacy ). I had been dying to try them for ages so was only delighted. 

These products are known for being a mineral based makeup and I know most of you are thinking 'what does that even mean?' . Well mineral makeup is made up of natural ingredients which are good for our skin. (People who suffer from break outs or are sensitive to a lot of makeup,  this is a prefect substitute for you). It doesn't sink into the skin and pores like other types of makeup do, therefor it doesn't block up the pores which is the main reason why other products can be harsh to the skin . Apparently pure mineral makeup binds to oil instead of water which makes it some what water resistant. Which is always a bonus! 

Ok, so if I was to go on it would get a little (alot) boring. All you need to know is that mineral makeup is good for you! yay.

The three products that I picked up was their: 

1. i-Divine: 'oh so special' palette

I am so in love with this palette. It is so cheap an retails at €9.99 in any McCabes pharmacy. 

I always use this palette to create a pinky/purple smokey eye. Its quickly becoming one of my favorite palettes. Each of the 12 shades a so wearable with some matte colours and some shimmer colours to take you from night to day. They do have good pigment and are very long lasting however I always using my Urban decay: eye shadow primer potion just to give it that little extra staying power. Seriously go out and get this product! you will not regret it trust me.

2. BlushBy3 in shade 'lace'
What I love about this palette is that the colours double as eye shadow so you get even more for you money! It retails at around €12.99 and to be honest I am so in love with them as eye-shadows. The three colours together create the most prefect winter eye. The are such lovely warm tones. Two matte colours and one shimmery colour which just complement each other so well. They would suit any skin tone from really pale to really tan as it gives a beautiful warmth to the face. People have stopped me anytime I wear these as an eye shadow which lets me know I must share them with you guys! try it out for yourself if your looking for a orangey/cranberry eye look, which would be prefect this christmas.

3. Pout polish lip conditioner in shade 'pink cadillac 947'

The thing I just love about these little pocket size lip polishes is their smell. It just amazing its made with Shea butter and that smell is just heaven for me, and as we all know shea butter is such a good moisturizer in general. Any body moisturizer that I buy you can guarantee that it has shea butter in it! I'm addicted. The second thing I love about these are the colours! they come in a wide range of colours from plum to coral. I always carry a pocket size Vaseline in by bag with me anywhere I go because its just an essential especially with the cold winter months are lips are most likely to be chapped but these little polishes are much more glamour then your run of the mill Vaseline and are just brill for a simple pop of colour. 

Price: €5.49

I will definitely be extending my sleek collection very soon. I hope you enjoyed this review, if you buy any of the products featured let me know what you think of them!

http://www.sleekmakeup.com/

Check out their website^^