Spring Makeup & Skincare Haul

| Spring Makeup & Skincare Haul! |

Recently, I ran out of a few skincare products around the same time so I took that as an excuse to treat myself to some new skincare items. I hadn't bought anything in a while so I also decided to treat myself to some new makeup while I was at it, you only live once as they say! One thing lead to another and I got a bit carried away *insert monkey with his hands over his eyes emoji*, but I thought I'd share what I got in a blog post as the nosey trait in me loves to read posts like this...

I've been using the same few powders for the last few months so I thought it was time to try something new. I decided to give the Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural a go as it's a classic in the beauty community and lots of people rave about it. I've really been enjoying this powder, it looks natural on the skin and doesn't cling to dry patches. However, I need to use it light-handed because one day it did look cakey under the eyes so I probably applied too much. I also got Select Cover Up which I've heard great things about. I've not tried it out properly yet so I'll share my thoughts in a future post.

Since I wear glasses full time it's important for my eye makeup to look bright and I like to choose shades that compliment my brown glasses. My most worn makeup look is a soft brown smokey eye with a pop of a light shimmer shade on the lid. I need this shade shimmer shade to stand out so it doesn't get washed away behind my glasses, so cream shadows and pigments work best. I decided to pick up the Mac Vanilla pigment which looks very white and frosty in the pot but when applied it's more of a shimmery champagne colour that packs a punch.

When my favourite Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish ran out, I decided to repurchase an old favourite: La Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser. It's a simple fuss-free milk cleanser that doesn't do anything other than the simple task of removing impurities or leftover makeup after your first cleanse. I love the Cleanse & Polish but sometimes I just want a simple, fragrance-free cleanser that will simply cleanse the skin, in order to allow my serums, treatments, masks etc to target any skin concerns I have. The cleanser is hypoallergenic so it's great for sensitive or blemish-prone skin as it doesn't cause irritation and it soothes inflamed breakouts. 

I also picked up the Toleriane Ultra based on Leanne's recommendation and it's made it onto my very small list of favourite moisturisers. I'm really fussy when it comes to moisturiser and unfortunately, I've tried more bad than good. But similarly, to the cleanser in the range, this moisturiser is simple and fuss-free but effective. It's a lightweight cream that sinks in fairly quickly and doesn't leave any residue, making it ideal for morning use prior to makeup application.

The last item I purchased was actually a repurchase. I tried the Garnier Moisture Bomb mask a few weeks ago and I was thoroughly impressed so I got another one to give my skin the hydration it's always craving. Tissue masks are the way forward as they provide way more hydration and long-lasting results than a regular hydrating mask in a tube. I usually need to use a hydrating mask 2-3 times a week, otherwise, my makeup would cling to dry patches but with this mask, I only need to use it once and my skin is ready for a week of makeup application.

I wanted to try out a new foundation and I had initially planned on the Too Faced Born This Way or one of the Urban Decay foundations as I have a €10 voucher for Debenhams. However, rewind to a few weeks ago, the day Charlotte Tilbury launched on Feel Unique and the renowned Bronze & Glow palette was discounted to €36 from €65! I stared at the screen utterly dumbfounded but I quickly grabbed my wallet because I couldn't let that bargain slip through my fingers. I also decided to get the Nars Luminous Weightless foundation while I was at it because it was €5 cheaper than the regular price and I get a further 10% off all Nars products as I'm a member of My Feel Unique Platinum. It was safe to say I had no money left for my planned Debenhams splurge - Ah well, at least the voucher can wait! 

I had been wanting to try some Pixi products for quite a while and after the buzz of their new collaborative products, I decided to finally to get some. The first product that made its way into my basket was the illustrious Glow Tonic and people weren't exaggerating about this stuff. It really is the bees-knees! The morning after I first used it I noticed immediate results - my skin seemed a lot brighter and my blemishes were less inflamed. This was my first ever time to use Glycolic Acid so I decided to incorporate it into my routine gradually, using it twice a week as my skin can be quite sensitive. However, the product hasn't caused any form of irritation thus far. I've been using it for two weeks now and my blemish scars have slowly started to reduce, I'd say they'd need another 3 or 4 weeks to completely heal so I'll keep you updated on this product, but so far so good!

Another Pixi product that has received a lot of hype recently is the Hydrating Milky Mist which as the name suggests, is a hydrating spray. It can be used as a part of your skincare routine - I usually use it after cleansing and toning - or on top of makeup for a refresh during the day. It contains lots of skin-loving ingredients like Linoleic Acid, various B-group vitamins, Pro-vitamin A and one of my all-time favourite ingredients Hyaluronic Acid. 

The last Pixi product I bought was one of their collaborative products; The Aspyn Ovard Glow-y Powder Highlighter in London Lustre, a gorgeous off-white icy shade that's perfect for my pale Irish skin. The highlighter has good pigmentation and it provides a gorgeous luminous glow.

The final product I got was The Ordinary Niacinamide and Zinc as my La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo ran out. Effaclar Duo is also a niacinamide and zinc cream so it works to help eliminate blemishes and reduces congestion. I get on really well with the LRP version but The Ordinary serum is much cheaper and has a higher concentration of the two nutrients so I thought it would be more effective for a cheaper price. When I first used this I experienced a bad purging phase similarly to the LRP offering but now that has subsided and I'm starting to see results. Hopefully, in a few weeks, I'll notice a bigger difference! 

Have you bought any new beauty products recently?

Love,

Cliona xx

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My Favourite Blushers

| My Favourite Blushers! |

Recently I treated myself to the new blush palette from Nars and it reignited my love for blush. I've always loved blush, I apply it every time I wear makeup but I usually just stuck to the same few favourites. Lately, however, I've been stepping out of my blush comfort zone of peachy pink shades and I've been trying some new shades that I wouldn't normally go for. 

The Hourglass Surreal Light palette contains two beautiful blushers; 'Surreal Glow' is a pale peony pink shade that provides a natural healthy flush of colour and 'Surreal Effect' is a rosy pink shade with a peach shade diffused into it, providing a peachy pink glow to the complexion. 

Another palette favourite is the Nars Unfiltered Cheek II palette which houses 5 exclusive blush shades as well as one bestselling highlighter shade. The palette contains a variety of finishes ranging from matte to shimmer to more of a natural satin finish, so there's a shade and finish for every type of makeup look and occasion. My standout shades in the palette are Fame - a warm peachy shade - and Hot Sand - a peachy champagne highlighter. 

I have one Charlotte Tilbury blush in my collection and I decided to go for a shade that I wouldn't normally wear: Sex On Fire which is a deep mauve shade on my skin tone. 

Nars Luster has been a firm favourite in my makeup bag for a few years. This golden apricot peach shade provides a hint of a golden sheen to the skin, ideal for the Spring/Summer months! Another peachy pink favourite is Mac Warm Soul, which is more pink-toned than the Nars offering and provides a subtle glow.

I bought my first Becca blush a few months ago and I've fallen in love with it just as much as their Champagne Pop highlighter {review}. I chose the luminous blush range over the mineral blush as I instantly feel in love with the shade Blushed Copper - a gorgeous sparkly copper shade that's very wearable on a daily basis when applied with a light hand.

Benefit Dandelion is a cult classic in my collection, I'm even on my second one that's how much I love it! The soft baby pink shade is the perfect Spring shade and it has very finely milled shimmer so it's hardly noticeable on the skin. I love wearing this when I want something quick and fuss-free!

My last favourite is a budget option and it's no stranger to my blog as I've mentioned it quite a few times now. The Max Factor Creme Puff blush in Lovely Pink is a peachy pink shade that compliments my skin tone. 

What are your favourite blushes?

Love,

Cliona xx

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Spring Makeup Routine

| Spring Makeup Routine! | 

The recent sunny weather and milder temperatures are getting me excited for the Summer months. But we've still got quite a while before that part of the year and with Easter Sunday being just a few days away it's about time I've had another Spring makeup reshuffle. For today's post, I'll be delving into my current Spring makeup bag and sharing my top picks....

A dewy base is my favourite look, no matter what season it is so I'll be carrying my dewy primers and foundations forward into my Spring makeup bag. Recently, I've been reaching for the Penneys/Primark strobe cream as it does the exact same job as the more expensive Mac version. I've been pairing this with the Nars Velvet Matte Skin Tint that has medium coverage, feels lightweight on the skin and has a gorgeous soft matte finish. I was having issues with it accentuating dry skin a few months ago but now that my skin is more hydrated I've been reaching for it a lot more lately. Paired with the strobe cream my skin is provided with a gorgeous dewy finish for the Spring months.

A recent addition to my makeup collection is the L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer. This concealer has been taking over the beauty community recently as this good quality budget gem provides amazing results. This creamy concealer provides full coverage, blends easily and can be used to conceal spots/marks, under the eyes and for cream highlighting. 

You're all probably sick of me mentioning the Hourglass Surreal Light palette {review} but recently I've been loving the powder and bronzer in this palette. I've actually just ordered a new powder and bronzer because I'm afraid of hitting pan in this palette - does anyone else hate hitting pan on expensive products? *insert girl with her hand up in the air emoji* I could've probably just used one of the million powders and bronzers I already own instead of buying new ones, but I just don't own anything as exciting as the powder and bronzer in this palette. The powder provides a lit-from-within healthy glow all over the face whilst setting concealer so it doesn't move around during the day. The bronzer has minute shimmer particles in it which I love because it makes my complexion appear warmer and healthier.

My base makeup isn't complete without a little bit of blusher and the one I keep coming back to is the Max Factor Creme Puff Blush in Seductive Pink. The shade is a bright pink with a peachy shade diffused into it, similarly to the Hourglass blushes. On the skin, it provides a subtle peachy pink flush of colour and it's one of those shades that really gives life to the skin and perks up a dull complexion. Lastly, for my base, I always apply highlighter and The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer has been my highlight of choice recently. 

To prime my eyelids I've been using the Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Creme De Nude which is a neutral yellow base shade that covers the little veins on the eyes and creates a smooth base for eyeshadow. I haven't used my By Terry Ombre Blackstar in Frozen Quartz {Review} in a while but recently I've rediscovered my love for it! A gorgeous rose gold hue that looks so pretty paired with Mac Haux. And lastly, to finish off my eye makeup, I apply some of the Maybelline Lash Sensational to my top lashes and some of the L'Oreal Telescopic Extra Black Mascara {Review} to my bottom lashes. 

The final step of my makeup routine is always lipstick and recently I've been opting for my Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect Lipstick & Pillow Talk Lip Liner {Review} - The perfect everyday nude combo!

What makeup have you been wearing recently?

Love,

Cliona xx

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A Hydrating Skincare Routine

| A Hydrating Skincare Routine! |

After a long Winter filled with stormy winds, sleet pelting down and the harsh effects of central heating on our skin, my skin has become quite dehydrated and lacklustre. For the past few weeks, I've incorporated some hydrating skincare picks from Uriage into my routine and they've helped restore my skin back to its pre-winter state. 

Over the last few months, I noticed that dehydrated lines started to form on my forehead, my skin's texture became rough and flaky, and my skin was looking a little lacklustre. I've been using three new hydrating products for the past five weeks and I've noticed an improvement in my skin in terms of hydration and the overall texture of my skin. 

The three Uriage products I've been using are all from their Eau Thermale range which is formulated with thermal water originating in the French Alps. The website states that "it is collected pure and naturally rich in mineral salts and trace elements", so I think it's a great ingredient to use on the skin. I've tried quite a few thermal water ranges from various brands and I got on really well with them so I was excited to give these a try. 

The first product I tried was the Water Eye Contour Cream* which claims to reduce the appearance of dehydrated lines, as well as dark circles whilst also moisturising the area. The biggest difference I noticed was, my dark circles had slightly reduced as the pigment is now more of a pale grey-blue shade rather than a deep purple. I didn't really notice a difference in terms of dehydrated lines but maybe I need to use it for a little longer. Before using the cream I was having some trouble with concealer application as my under eyes were quite dry. Applying concealer was a nightmare as it only accentuated the problem but since incorporating this into my routine my under eye area is hydrated and concealer applies smoothly. It has a cooling gel-like consistency that helps reduce puffiness I often get in the morning. I'm very impressed with the results of this product, especially the fact that it reduced the deep hue of my dark circles!

Once I've cleansed, toned and applied the eye cream, I then go in with the Water Serum*. This was the standout product of the bunch for me as it transformed the condition of my skin, providing soft and plump skin as well as reducing the dehydration lines on my forehead. Sometimes I would just apply this on its own without the moisturiser and my skin was so soft and plump!

Another product that has been helping to keep my skin hydrated and aiding with brightening my skin is the Light Water Cream SPF20*. It's really important to wear SPF all year round but to be honest I'm so bad at remembering to apply it. I usually apply a higher SPF than 20 at this time of year because according to the Irish Cancer Society, the UV rays are strongest from April to September in Ireland. However, having SPF built into the moisturiser is great because if I do forget to apply my higher SPF then at least I'm somewhat protected. As well as the SPF function, this moisturiser has a lightweight milky consistency so it doesn't leave a greasy residue and it creates a smooth base for makeup application.

I highly recommend these if you have sensitive skin as the products are hypoallergenic and if you're on the hunt for some simple fuss-free products that will provide long-lasting hydration! 

What are your favourite hydrating products?

Love,
Cliona xx

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