How To Style The Ikea Hemnes Vanity Table

10 Things To Do This Spring

| 10 Things To Do This Spring! |

Another month is drawing to a close, but a new season is just beginning. Spring is one of my favourite seasons as everything is fresh and to me, it represents a new beginning. There are lots of things I'm excited to do this Spring so I thought I'd share them in today's post...

The Best Products For Early Mornings

| The Best Products For Early Mornings! | 

They say that "the early bird catches the worm" but I can barely make my way to the shower as I have one eye open and one shut on early starts, let alone start my day productively and full of motivation. However, one activity that helps me start my day with motivation and inspiration is applying makeup, because when I look fresh and awake, then I start to feel fresh and awake. 

1)Glowing Skin //
Consecutive 7 am starts usually lead to dull, lacklustre skin so for me, creating a dewy base is a fundamental step in my early morning makeup routine. To achieve this, I usually opt for strobe cream instead of a regular primer and my current favourite is a cheap but cheerful option from the Penneys/Primark beauty range. It adds luminosity to my skin as well as hydrating the skin. 

When I'm not wearing strobe cream, I like to add a boost of radiance to my complexion by mixing some of the NYX Liquid Illuminator with my foundation. This transforms a matte foundation so that it provides a healthy dewy finish and it instantly perks up tired looking skin.

Nars Sheer Glow has a satin finish so it provides a subtle glow that gives an overall healthy appearance to my complexion. The water-based formula is ideal for when my skin is quite dry and it's effortless to blend in so it's the perfect early morning pick.

2) Radiant Finish // 
Another way to ensure my complexion looks radiant is to finish off my base makeup with the light-reflecting powders in the Hourglass Surreal Light palette {review}. I begin by dusting the 'Surreal Light' finishing powder under my eyes and on my t-zone to set my makeup as well as providing an all-over subtle glow. To add some warmth to my face I apply 'Surreal Bronze Light' which is a radiant bronzing powder and I usually reach for the 'Surreal Effect' blush for my daily makeup, as the rosy pink shade with peachy undertones is the best shade for perking up my lacklustre skin.

3) Cream Eyeshadows // 
Cream eyeshadows are the perfect fuss-free way to make it look like I've put a bit more effort into my makeup than I actually have. One swipe of the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in 'On and On Bronze' onto the lids and my eyeshadow is complete. The bronzey shade is quite neutral so it works well for everyday makeup. 

Another quick and easy eye option is the Charlotte Tilbury Eyes To Mesmerise in the shade 'Jean'. The shimmery champagne shade looks pretty worn on its own to instantly make the eyes appear fresh and awake, but it also looks well paired with a matte brown shade to add depth to the look. Both looks are very quick and easy to achieve and they make such a difference to the overall appearance of my everyday makeup. 

4) Bright Eyes //
The appearance of bright, fresh looking eyes can hide a multitude of sins. The first step to achieve bright eyes is a nude eyeliner and you don't need anything fancy to obtain amazing results. The Rimmel Scandal Eyes Nude Liner is a cheap but cheerful option that does a great job of cancelling out redness in the waterline as well as making the eyes appear bigger.

To brighten under my eyes, I like to apply a highlighting concealer pen and my most beloved is the L'oreal Lumi Magique Concealer. This adds luminosity to the under eye area and the pink undertones help counteract the pigment of dark circles. 

Another miracle product for brightening under the eyes and concealing a bad night's sleep is the Seventeen Skin Wow concealer. This works similarly to Lumi Magique in terms of adding luminosity except this option is a yellow toned concealer. I tend to pair this with another concealer because it doesn't conceal the area as well as the L'oreal offering but it's a fraction of the price, so it's definitely worth picking up!

The final step to achieving bigger, awake looking eyes is a good mascara. The Maybelline Lash Sensational mascara* provides both volume and length which helps to enhance the eyes.

5) Fuss-Free Lipsticks //
A simple nude lip is essential to complement this soft, effortless, radiant look and my current favourite offerings are the Rimmel Kate 15 Year Collection lipsticks in 'Rock N Roll Nude' & 'Boho Nude'. 'Rock N Roll Nude' is a pink-toned nude shade whilst 'Boho Nude' is a brown-toned nude option. Both lipsticks have a creamy texture, feel lightweight and comfortable to wear and they have a beautiful satin finish. 

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What are your early morning makeup essentials?

Love,

Cliona xx

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*Products marked with an asterisk have been sent to me by a brand or PR company. 

My Mindful Sunday Morning Routine

| My Mindful Sunday Morning Routine! | 

At the end of each week, I like to have a mindful morning to switch off and take some time out for myself to reflect back on the week with a grateful heart. I like to acknowledge my accomplishments and allow myself to feel proud of what I've succeeded that week, no matter how big or small those achievements are. This routine has become a fundamental part of my week and it has played a major role in allowing my lifestyle to become more mindful.

Trialling Aesop Skincare

| Trialling Aesop Skincare! | 

I vowed that 2017 was going to be the year of investing in skincare and I'm pleased to say that I've been sticking to my goal. In January, I decided to use my Christmas money to treat myself to some luxury skincare items and Aesop was a brand that had been on my radar for quite some time. I didn't have a hard time choosing what products to go for as my skin was in dire straits in terms of both breakouts and dry skin. It can be relatively difficult to find products that both decongest skin and also aid nourishment at the same time but I had heard good things about the following two products. I've noticed a significant difference in the overall condition of my skin and so it would be rude not to share a report of the current skincare heroes in my routine...

1) Aesop Fabulous Face Oil //
The fabulous face oil is a renowned product in the skin care industry for its blend of nine botanical ingredients that detoxify, soothe and nourish the skin. The first thing that wowed me about the oil is the sweet floral-esque scent that smells like unusual flowers you'd find in the Botanic Gardens. I get a strong whiff of Jasmine along with a small trace of almond oil. The scent is quite sweet at first but it tones down to a herbaceous scent after a while, and as I usually apply this at night, the scent lingers until after I've fallen asleep. When I lie down on my pillow I can smell this quite strongly, but I actually find that it's helped me sleep better these past few weeks!

The oil is lightweight and a little bit goes a long way. Aesop suggests using three to five drops, but I tend to only need two to three drops to cover my whole face and neck. It has a pipette dispenser which makes it easy to dispense the right amount of product and plus, it pleases my inner biology nerd *wink wink*

The results the oil provide are also impeccable. My skin is quite sensitive so it's often prone to redness, but this oil soothes my skin and calms down any redness. It also nourishes the skin and when I wake up in the morning my skin is soft and areas with dry flaky patches tend to become smooth. I also noticed that it helped reduce acne scarring and aided my breakouts to heal much quicker.

2) Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque //
Similarly to the oil, the mask's primary function is to decongest the skin without compromising on nourishment. Many clay-based masks strip the skin of its moisture but this mask contains Vitamin E to maintain the skin's hydration levels. I leave it on for 10 minutes as it's quite strong so my skin can feel tight or a little bit dry if I leave it on any longer. Once I've washed it off, my skin is left feeling deeply cleansed and I find that it's the most effective mask for drawing out impurities that I've ever tried. The scent is fresh and much more herbaceous than the oil, with the primrose being the dominant scent. 

The brand has a unique approach to products as they're not natural but they believe in combing the finest of plant-based ingredients with laboratory-made ingredients. And it's clearly evident that they carry out extensive research to create high-quality products and I love their minimalistic approach to packaging. The fresh scent of both products and the luxurious texture confirms that the products contain the utmost quality ingredients. 

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Have you tried any Aesop products?

Love,

Cliona xx

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My Blogging Process

| My Blogging Process! |

I've been blogging for over three years now and as the industry advances my blogging process evolves with it. My approach to blogging has certainly changed over the years and for the first time, I'm starting to feel organised with my blog. In January I decided to refrain from posting as much as I was during previous months to refresh myself for the new year ahead, and I feel as though this has improved my productivity levels and my inspiration. My blogging process is much more effective now than it ever was so for today's post, I thought I'd share what my blogging process involves...

The Highlighter Palette Every Makeup Lover Should Own

| The Highlighter Palette Every Makeup Lover Should Own! |

I've never met a woman that doesn't want healthy, glowing skin, and I think that the rise of glow-inducing products available has enabled women to achieve this look so effortlessly. These radiance-boosting products are available in all parts of the world, in different forms such as skincare products, dewy foundations, strobe creams etc. and cater to every budget and skin type so there's something to suit every woman's glowing skin desires. But the main product that has the ability to transform the appearance of our skin and provide us with an ethereal glow is highlighter. I have a vast array of highlighters in my makeup collection but recently I've introduced a new highlighting palette into my selection, and it has stolen the show.....

The SoSu Highlighter Kit houses six iridescent shimmer highlighters with a broad range of shades to choose from, so there's something to suit every skin tone. Each powder is highly pigmented and they all pack a punch to the skin. Some of the powders provide a soft radiant lit-from-within glow whilst others offer a more intense glow that would look stunning in photos. 

Considering the palette cost around the €30 mark for six powders I wasn't expecting the quality to be that good. However, I was absolutely floored by the quality of the palette as the powders have a smooth velvety texture that is of high-end quality! Three of the shades are regular pressed powders and the other three options are baked powders, so again everyone's needs and preferences are catered for. 

The staying power is also remarkable as they last all day. On New Year's Eve, my sister asked me to do her makeup before work as she was going out that evening. I applied two layers of the 'Shooting Star' powder as she works in a nursing home and the job is fast-paced and involves manual handling so I was sure that the powder would fade slightly throughout the day. Unfortunately, she ended up having to come back home due to a family emergency but I noticed that her highlight still was still as strong as when I first applied it. Amazing!

The Shades {From L To R}:

• Melted Gold: Is a deep warm bronze shade with golden shimmer running through it. The rich shade of this one doesn't suit my skin but would look lovely on darker skin tones or equally, it would work well with a bit of tan. However, the powder doesn't go to waste as it doubles up as a beautiful bronze eyeshadow.

• Moon Sparkle: A soft pink shade that provides a pearlescent shimmer to the skin. This one is a little bit more subtle than the other powders so it's ideal for everyday use.

• Shooting Star: A golden yellow shade with flecks of champagne shimmer in it. It provides a similar soft radiant finish like The Balm Mary-Lou highlighter. This is my favourite shade in the palette as it provides a warm healthy glow to my pale skin.

• Unicorn Dust: Is a white shade that provides a frosted finish. The baked powders look quite scary in the pan but instead of looking like a big chunk of glitter sitting on the skin, they blend onto the skin beautifully and reflect the light. 

• Peach Smoothie: A warm peach shade with flecks of golden shimmer that are noticeable once it's applied. This doesn't suit my pale skin to use as a highlighter but on a daily basis, I use it as a blush and the results are quite similar to my Nars Luster blush. It also works well as an eyeshadow paired with the burnt orange shades in the Urban Decay Ultimate Basics palette as well as the orange shades in the Anastasia Beverley Hills Modern Renaissance palette. 

• Candy Crush: A deep mauve shade which provides a beautiful rose gold glow on my pale complexion. The rich undertones of this shade make it easy to go overboard with it on pale skin tones but used light-handed it looks gorgeous and suitable for everyday wear. 

The combination that beats Becca Champagne Pop:

My all-time favourite highlighter was Becca Champagne Pop until I discovered this breathtaking combination: Shooting Star paired with Unicorn Dust. The shade is completely different to Champagne Pop but in terms of pigmentation and the intense glow that it provides, it trumps the Becca highlighter for me. In the photo above I'm wearing this combination on the tops of my cheekbones, down the centre of my nose and on my brow bone. I'm also wearing Peach Smoothie on the eyes paired with Extra Bitter from the Urban Decay Ultimate Basics palette.

All in all, this is a high-quality palette that caters for all preferences and a variety of different skin tones. The shades also double up as blush and eyeshadow so you end up getting much more than a highlighter palette. I highly recommend it and it's certainly good value for money!

You can purchase the palette on the SoSu website. 

Have you tried any SoSu products?

What's your favourite highlighting palette?

Love,

Cliona xx

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50 Shades Of Pink

| 50 Shades Of Pink! | 

The day of love has arrived once again and although I don't celebrate it (I'm one of those 'it's just a hallmark holiday' sorta person), I do love embracing pink and red at this time of year. I'm the epitome of a "girly girl" and my room is filled to the brim with pink and rose gold hues, my makeup collection included. I often scroll through my old Instagram photos for inspiration for new blog posts and I came across a photo from a few years ago that was captioned - 50 shades of pink - and I was inspired to write today's post sharing my favourite pink beauty items....

I have a soft spot for pink lipsticks and my favourite nude pink is Mac Creme Cup. This is a classic in the beauty community and rightly so! The pale baby pink shade is ideal for everyday wear as it looks minimal and understated. The shade is perfect as it's not too pale and has just the right amount of pink in it to add a subtle wash of colour to the lips. To deepen the shade I love pairing it with a dark nude liner like Mac Soar or Rimmel East End Snob and the result of the two paired together gives fuller plumper looking lips. 

Another everyday wearable pink shade that I adore is Charlotte Tilbury's Kidman's Kiss {Review}. CT is the queen of lipsticks and she has nailed them down to a T from the luxe packaging to the creamy formula to the superb pigmentation. Kidman's Kiss is a peachy pink offering that's easy to pull off and works well for both the warmer and colder months. 

I couldn't go a day without lip balm and the pink offering that's soothing my shrivelled lips at the moment is the Nivea Pearly Shine Lip Balm. This instantly softens the lips and adds a subtle pink sheen to the lips.

Do you ever get those days when no matter what you do your makeup just won't turn out they way you want it to? Well, a bright lip works wonders for disguising a bad makeup day! A bright fuschia pink will detract people's attention away from the other areas of your face so hopefully, no one will notice the deep-seated dark circles on the days when no amount of concealer will cover them up *wink wink* My top picks are Mac Aim For Gorgeous {Review} and Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Yu. 

My last pink lip favourite is the NYX Butter Gloss in 'Apple Strudel'. I'm not normally a gloss fan but this peach shade looks beautiful worn over a peach lipstick in the Summertime to provide a high sheen finish that reflects the radiant sunlight.

Some of my favourite products are housed in pink packaging and a brand that's iconic for their pink packaging is Soap & Glory {My favourites}. Their hand food hand cream is a winter must-have for my poor desiccated hands and to prevent cracked heels I apply a generous layer of the heel genius foot cream twice a week. Another favourite product of mine that has pink packaging is the Too Faced Hangover Primer. This is ideal for all the dry skinned ladies of the world as it creates a smooth hydrated base for your foundation. 

Light pink blushes are my favourite as they provide a light flush of colour to the skin that appears natural and healthy. A long-time favourite is the Bourjois Little Round Pot in 'Rose d'Or' - a rosy pink shade with golden shimmer. Baked blushes are my favourite as they provide an ethereal glow to the skin and a recent addition to my collection is the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in 'Seductive Pink'. Benefit Dandelion {review} was my first high-end blush and the soft pink shade is still a firm favourite in my collection.

I have quite the selection of pink eyeshadows and the palette that has the ultimate selection of pink and burgundy hues is the Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette. This has earned the top spot in my makeup collection due to the incredible quality and the beautiful variety of shades. If pink or burgundy isn't your cup of tea then the palette also has a vast array of warm brown shades to choose from. My top two shades in my custom Mac palette are the pinky rose-gold options, of course! 'Mythology' is a rose gold shade with copper undertones and 'Expensive Pink' is a peachy pink offering with flecks of rose gold shimmer running through it.  
I love Essie nail polishes and one of my all-time favourite shades is 'Lovie Dovie' - a barbie pink that will have you reminiscing of the days when you used to dance around your room to the song Barbie Girl by Aqua *insert embarrassed emoji* 

What are your favourite pink beauty products?

Love,

Cliona xx

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Valentine's Lipstick Picks From NYX

| Valentine's Lipstick Picks From NYX! |

With only one day left to Valentine's Day, it's time to start preparing for the day of love if you haven't already. It's the day to dash to the shops to find a cute card, maybe some flowers or chocolates, or maybe you'll be picking up something yummy for a candle lit dinner. Whatever preparations you'll be doing today it's important for us ladies to prepare our makeup menu as well. When I think of Valentine's makeup, fresh dewy skin paired with a statement lip always comes to mind, so today I thought I'd share a few lipstick options from NYX that will have your lips looking irresistible *wink wink*

1) The Daytime Option:
The NYX butter glosses are my all-time favourite gloss formula as they're not sticky and they last longer than an average lip gloss.The finish is quite unique as they don't have that high-sheen finish that glosses usually have - They have more of creamy satin finish. The moisturising property makes them ideal for layering over matte lipsticks that are drying. They have good colour payoff and they have a delicious sweet vanilla scent that could rival the scent of Mac lipsticks.

The shade 'Cotton Candy'* is the perfect shade for Valentine's Day. I would describe it as a bright pink with lilac undertones. It's a very wearable shade that looks subtle for everyday wear, and it looks lovely paired on top of a lipstick like Mac Creme Cup to make the shade pop or it can be worn on its own to achieve a minimal makeup look. 

2) The Bright Option:
If you're after a bright option this Valentine's Day then no look no further than the 'Addis Ababa' Soft Matte Lip Cream*. The shade is a bright fuschia pink with blue undertones so it'll enhance the whiteness of your teeth, perfect for grabbing that someone special's attention *insert winking emoji* This particular shade is very pigmented - one layer is enough for a strong colour payoff - but the formula of these are easy to build up if you want an even more intense look. 

I'm a huge fan of the soft matte lip creams as they're the most comfortable liquid lipstick to wear, they feel so light on the lips that I hardly notice I'm wearing lipstick. I usually get around 5-6 hours wear from them and this particular shade wears down evenly so you don't get that patchy appearance that can sometimes occur with a bright shade like this. The smooth creamy formula makes them simple to apply and they take a while to dry so they're ideal for somebody that's just getting started with liquid lipsticks. Once they dry they don't transfer so you won't be leaving a big embarrassing trace of lipstick on your glass during your dinner date.

3) The Sultry Evening Option:
Chubby lip pencils have become popular in recent years and my favourite thing about them is the ease of application. The thin pencil applicator of the NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil* makes it a quick and easy way to apply lipstick. The shade 'Maroon' is the perfect choice if you're looking for a deep vampy shade to go with your LBD as the rich wine shade will create a sultry look that's perfect for a Valentine's evening out on the town. Similarly to the soft matte lip creams, the formula of this is smooth and creamy so it glides onto the lips effortlessly. The colour payoff is excellent, one layer provides an intense pigment and the creamy matte finish makes it comfortable to wear, meaning it's ideal for your dinner date!

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What lipstick will you be sporting this Valentine's Day?

Love,
Cliona xx

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*Products marked with an asterisk have been sent to me by a brand or PR company but all thoughts and opinions are based on my own experience with the product.

Transitioning My Beauty Routine For Spring

| Transitioning My Beauty Routine For Spring! | 

Spring is mere weeks away and despite the fact that there's a wild tempest going on outside my window, I'm slowly starting to transition my beauty routine in preparation for the Spring months ahead. I've started to adapt my skincare routine as well as my makeup routine by incorporating a few Spring-worthy products into my everyday collection of products alongside my Winter must-haves....

1) Skincare:

The Winter tends to wreak havoc on my skin so in order to help replenish it for the Spring months, I've unearthed an old favourite from the depths of my skincare stash, the Superfacialist By Una Brennan Rose Hydrate Moisture Mask. This provides an intense hit of hydration to the skin ensuring it feels smooth and nourished after the harsh Winter conditions, whilst the rose scent transports my mind to a fresh, Spring day where I can almost hear the birds chirping and envision the blinding sun - Until I look out my window, that is, and I return to reality as I'm greeted by dirty black clouds spewing torrential rain. But at least I have this gem to uplift my mood and get me excited for Spring! 

After swapping out my Origins GinZing Moisturiser for a more enriching option from Roger & Gallet {review} for the cold weather, I've returned to my old reliable pal ahead of the new season. The lightweight gel consistency will be perfect for the milder weather and the sweet ginseng scent could rival the fragrance of Spring blossoms. Add a few drops of your favourite facial oil - I love the Superfacialist Rose Miracle Makeover Oil - for added hydration so your skin will be back to its pre-winter state in no time. 

Facial mists are another Spring essential for me, and the one that has stood the test of time in my routine is the Avene Thermal Spring Water. This is essentially a dupe for the renowned Mac Fix + spray as it provides a similar function of hydrating the skin between each step of makeup application. 

2) Makeup:

I'm always attracted to a dewy finish so I like to apply strobe cream underneath my base. We all know and love the renowned Mac Strobe Cream but recently a budget friendly option from the PS Pro Beauty range in Penneys/Primark has stolen my heart. It provides a subtle glow whilst also hydrating the skin so it's perfect for our post-winter skin conditions.

During the Spring months, I like my makeup to look fresh and natural - an "I woke up like this" kinda look *wink wink* - so opting for a lightweight base is a fundamental step in achieving this look. My current favourite light base is the Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder foundation as it not only provides a light coverage that looks natural, but it also gives a luminous finish. It's what I like to call "healthy skin in a bottle"!

For a healthy sunkissed glow, I gravitate towards the Catrice Sun Glow Mineral Bronzing Powder. The shade is ideal for my pale skin but those with darker skin tones would definitely need to build it up. 

Another glow-inducing product is the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in 'Seductive Pink'. This baked blush is slightly similar to the shade 'surreal effect' in the Hourglass Surreal Light palette {review} as they're both bright pink shades with a warm peach shade diffused into it. This type of blush is ideal for perking up my complexion in the Spring months. I also reach for Benefit Dandelion blush a lot during the warmer months as the soft pink shade complements my Spring wardrobe which is made up of pretty pastel hues.

A bright lip can hide a magnitude of things! Having a bad brow day? Wear a bright lip! Your skin is looking a little lacklustre? Wear a bright lip! The cold miserable weather is causing you to feel a bit down? You guessed it, sport a bright lip! My top picks include Mac Aim For Gorgeous Lipstick {review} which is a bright fuschia pink as well as Nars Torres Del Paine Lip Pencil which is a peachy coral shade. My favourite statement orange lipstick is the Nars Iberico Lip Pencil and I also reach for Mac's Tropic Tonic, which is an orange-toned bright coral shade, when I'm feeling brave.

3) Nails:
Essie is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite brand of nail polishes and you can find out why Essie polishes are worth the money in my roundup post. My Spring choices are Lilacism, a pretty lilac shade as well as Lovie Dovie, a barbie pink that flatters my pale complexion that hasn't seen the sun in months.

How will you be transitioning your beauty routine for Spring?

What are your favourite Spring products?

Love,

Cliona xx

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Monochrome Favourites

| Monochrome Favourites! |

If you caught my monochrome with a twist outfit post a few days ago then it'll come as no surprise to you that I've been having a monochrome infatuation recently. I've always been a fan of monochrome clothing but in recent years I've been drawn towards beauty products with minimal monochrome packaging. Many brands, both high-end and budget, opt for pink, gold, rose-gold and fun packaging but it's the sleek monochrome packaging that makes the biggest impact as it oozes luxury and opulence, whether it's an expensive product or not.

My first monochrome pick is Becca Champagne Pop Highlighter {review}. This peachy golden highlighter provides a celestial dewy finish to the skin. The quality of the product is exceptional and the soft formula blends into the skin effortlessly rather than just sitting on top of the skin unnaturally. It's definitely worth the pennies in my opinion! 

Another luxurious monochrome favourite is the Aesop Fabulous Face Oil as well as the Aesop Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque. Both products have been helping to keep breakouts at bay and they've also helped heal blemish scarring. 

A budget monochrome favourite is the Lush Bubblegum lip scrub {review}. A good lip scrub is a winter essential, especially if you're fond of a dark lip. This sugary pink option from Lush is gritty enough that it completely banishes flaky patches on the lips without it feeling harsh or leaving the skin around the lips red. 

Mac lipsticks are a must-have in everyone's makeup collection, in my opinion. The formulas are all amazing, the creme sheen and matte formulas being my favourites, they're all pigmented and last well throughout the day. I don't find any of their matte lipsticks I own drying and they feel comfortable to wear. My standout shades are Brave {satin}, Tropic Tonic {matte} and Modesty {creme sheen}.

Mac concealers are also worthy of a shout out as they're some of the best concealers I've come across. The Prep & Prime highlighting pen in 'Light Boost' is one of my favourite under-eye concealers. The soft yellow toned shade aids to brighten up the area and the medium coverage conceals dark circles well. If you have severe dark circles then you might need a colour corrector or another concealer underneath this but it camouflages my minor dark circles thoroughly. 

I discovered the Hi Impact Brows palette* {review} last year and it's been a firm favourite in my collection ever since. The compact contains four different shades of powders so there's bound to be one to suit everyone. The powders are all very pigmented, meaning you can create a strong brow the same way you would be able to with a gel. You can also use a light hand to create a subtle brow and the palette doubles up as eyeshadow too, making it versatile and worth the money. 

Nars is without a shadow of a doubt my favourite brand of all time! If I could only choose one product to buy from Nars it would most certainly be their foundations. I own three of their foundations but my most cherished one is Sheer Glow. It provides a light to medium coverage that looks very natural, and it has a water-based formula meaning it's ideal for those with dry skin. I recently purchased the Velvet Matte Skin Tint and I loved it when I first bought it. However, my skin has been severely dry over the last two weeks and I found that this foundation is accentuating the problem. It's still a great foundation and I highly recommend it but it's one that I won't be reaching for when my skin is overly dry. 

The Radiant Creamy Concealer is also on the top of my favourites list. It works well for both under the eyes as well as on blemishes and scarring. Nars compacts are the quintessential product from the brand that makes them so incredibly iconic. There are bronzers, blushes, eyeshadow duos, highlighters, pressed powder and single eyeshadows available in their renowned sleek compacts. I adore their 'Luster' blush and the eyeshadow duo in 'St-Paul-De-Vence' is one my most reached for everyday eyeshadows. 

And lastly, I couldn't mention Nars without mentioning their prominent lip pencils {my collection}. I have both matte and satin formulas, and I highly rate both of them! 

What are your monochrome favourites?

Love,

Cliona xx

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A Luxe Eyeshadow From By Terry

| A Luxe Eyeshadow From By Terry! |

Dreamy, celestial eyeshadows are my favourite and you'll often see me sporting a glitzy rose gold eyeshadow {my favourites} on a daily basis. There's just something about a sparkly rose gold shadow that makes me feel opulent like Blair Waldorf and when you catch the flecks of shimmer gleaming in the light it looks magical. By Terry is famous for their Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow sticks and I feel very lucky to have been gifted the 'Frozen Quartz' eyeshadow stick for Christmas. I've been using it quite frequently since I received it so today I thought I'd share the details of this luxe eyeshadow pick.... 

I have to admit that when I first used it the shade didn't look quite right on its own, so a transition shade is necessary for a seamless finish. Mac's Haux eyeshadow and 'Instinct' from the Urban Decay Ultimate Basics palette both work well paired with the shade of the eyeshadow stick. I almost always use a transition shade anyway but sometimes it's handy to have a cream eyeshadow that you can just swipe on and blend out with your finger, but that isn't the case with this. However, it's still a very quick and easy look and it takes me less than a minute to do, so it's still handy for when you're in a rush. 

The formula is smooth and creamy so it glides on without tugging on the sensitive skin of the eyelid. The formula is also quite wet when you first apply it so you've a bit of time to work with it before it sets. Once it sets it doesn't budge so it's not prone to creasing throughout the day and there's minimal fading. As you can see from the swatch photo, it's a stunning rose gold shade with a frosty finish, and pairing it with a taupe eyeshadow like the two I mentioned above complements the look.

Are you a fan of the By Terry Ombre Blackstars?

Or do you prefer a different range of eyeshadow sticks?

Love,

Cliona xx

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