Best Beauty for Teens ~ Skincare, Makeup, Brushes & More!

 

Looking for the best beauty products, makeup, and skincare for teens? Look no further. This question comes up a lot on Instagram, and especially now that we're looking towards Christmas gifting time. These affordable beauty brands, favoured by Youtubers and Influencers alike will easily please the most discerning teens and passionate young makeup addicts too. 

Dupe Alert: MAC Superb Given a Run for it's Shimmery Money with TopShop's Horizon Highlight!

If there's one thing I like more than a good highlighter it's a blahhdy good dupe for a higher end highlighter and TopShops Horzon is exactly that. I heard whisper that it was a MAC Soft and Gentle pretender, a brightening skin finishing highlight, the yen for which I've never given in to. On closer inspection though, it's not. On further inspection and on the much brighter side, it's a very close match to MAC stunner and one of my all time favourite highlighters, Superb. You can read my full post on that HERE. 

TopShop Horizon: £10 HERE

Swatched lightly this warm toned highlight adds bronzed luminosity to paler skin but the darker toned lovelies among us, or even those with an already bronzed visage will apply liberally and LOVE it. While in the pan it's not a direct dupe for the MAC fave, Superb, once this richly pigmented highlight is applied the magic happens. 

If you're bemoaning missing out on Superb or even Estée Lauder's predecessor in the Illuminating Gelee then you need to get yourself on the hunt for this bargainous highlighting beauty.  

Speaking of on the hunt, I do have to mention, as is my wont, that I've had a love/hate relationship with TopShops makeup for the longest time. I love almost everything that I've gotten my mitts on, as this quick Google search will show you but it's the inflated price for limited stock here in Ireland that rustles my jimmies on the regular. 

Why? Why when we live just 40 minutes away do you have to do us like this, TopShop? I wouldn't mind if their products were mediocre but Horizon here proves, once more, that they're not. They're really very good and that's a shame because they are missing out on an entire untapped market of beauty lovers in our little Republic. 

Tell us, will you be hunting down this highlight? Do you think I'm being unfair on TopShop and, most importantly, do you know of a well stocked shop in the good ol' ROI? Spill!

Wet n Wild in Ireland - A Closer Look at What's What

If you go down to your Dunnes today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to your Dunnes today

Your purse better go in disguise!

For every girl that ever there was

Will gather there for certain because,

today's the day that

Wet n Wild launch their maaaaake - up!

You'll have heard rumblings over the past couple of days, then seen Instagrams trickle through and even ALL CAPS TWEETS exclaiming that budget beauty giant Wet n Wild have landed on our shores and arrived with little or no fanfare into local Dunnes Stores' everywhere. 

Since learning of their arrival this week I quickly learned that there is to be a national launch at the hands of one of our favourite PR companies (WHO WILL ALSO BE BRINGING NYX - ARRGGHH). I'll be popping along to the launch so will be sure to take lots of behind the scenes snaps but for now, snaps of the products as they stand will whet your appetite just enough. 

Ready? 

Mega Rocks: €3.99, Megalast: €2.99 & FastDry: €2.99

As of now I've only sampled the Megalast in I Need a Refresh-Mint and you can see the results of that here on my Instagram feed. The pro brush is short, wide and applies the formulation beautifully. I'll 100% have more in-depth reviews coming up.

Mascaras (various) €5.49, Color Icon Palettes €5.49, Color Icon Shadow Collections €6.49, Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios €4.49, Eyeshadow Singles & Glitter Singles €1.99, Lip Liner €1.99, Brow Liner €1.99 & Idol Eyes Creme Shadow €2.99

Again I have swatched the majority of these in store and been very impressed overall. You can see up close swatches of the Comfort Zone palette here but I will continue to add good quality swatches as & when I have them. 

Mega Slick Balm Stains (Crayons) €3.99, Megalast Lip Color €2.99, Lip Gel €2.99, Lip Balm €4.49, Lip Gloss €2.99, Liquid Lip Color €4.69 & Silk Finish Lipstick €1.99

H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner €3.99, Mega Eyes Defining Marker €4.49, Megaliner Liquid Liner €2.99, Cover All Concealer Palettes €4.49, Mega Glo Illuminators €4.49, Color Icon Blushers €4.49, Brow Kit €3.99, Cover All Cream Foundation €4.49, Liquid Concealer Wand €3.49, Cover Stick €2.99, Cover All Pressed Powders €3.99 & Bronzers €4.99

Pheweee! As I say, once I have decent swatches available I'll have them on my Instagram (you really should follow that, there's bonus kitteh & Rottie pics) but also here in more detailed posts. 

Just thought I'd give you a quick glance at what everyone else is seeing on stands as of this week and a better idea of price points. Overall, I'm very, very impressed - as with every brand there are standouts and there are some you can skip over happily - I'll be letting you know which is which ASAP. 

First impressions? 

MUA Matte Palette v Urban Decay's Naked Basics - Swatches

we had a look yesterday at MUA's Smokin palette versus Urban Decay's Smoked and it very nearly blew up the blog. How's about a look at the budget beauty brands other newest offering - the Matte Palette versus one of the worlds nicest matte palettes that just so happens to also belong to Urban Decay - Naked Basics. 

Can we first take a minute to look at just how pretty the Matte Palette is for just €4.77? Seriously. 

But we're here to compare so let's...

As you can see, in the pan we're looking at 6 almost perfect matches with 4 bonus mattes. 

But will the swatches hold up? 

Despite there being slightly more fall out on MUAs side, the colours match up pretty much perfectly. The consistency of Urban Decay is slightly softer and feels more velvety on application but that doesn't mean MUA is far off - their pigmentation holds and with the use of a primer, the minimal fall out is reduced significantly.  

The four extra colours in the Matte Palette can't go unnoticed either, that dusky pink is beautiful with the soft blue in the crease for an every day pretty eye.  

While Naked Basics is and always has been a go to palette of mine, MUAs Matte Palette is NOTHING to be sneezed at. If matte shadows are you thing or you're just looking for a subtle day time palette I'd urge you to skedaddle to Superdrug or get your mitts on the Matte Palette here for less than a fiver. IMHO it is indeed a super duper. 

Tempted? 

Lidl Argan Oil Bargain? Your Local Chemist Might Just Trump That..

There's many things I love about Lidl, their throwing your shopping at you, Hunger Games style at the end of the checkout isn't one but their occasional forays into cheap as chips beauty is definitely up there. The Argan Oil shampoo and conditioner, released on September 2nd is a perfect example. 

Just €2.49 per tube means you can get your mitts on, admittedly Argan Oil extract in these hair care goodies but, to be fair, the exclusive oil isn't too far down the ingredients list (that's bolstered with grúaig smoothing silicones and the like). I've been using it for a week now and, yep, I'm impressed.

Wanna know what impresses me more? 

Oh just 100ml Extra Free for 50c less! 

My very thoughtful Poppa picked these up in our local chemist for just €1.99 each and I'm thrilled with him for doing so. The gal on the counter said that they've been distributed to local chemists but are selling like hot cakes because of the Lidl promotion. 

So my advice? Definitely try these bad boys out, while they're not amazing for taming frizz, they are great for soft and manageable hair with a 'just washed' gloss to boot. If you haven't been quick enough to nab 'em in Lidl then be sure to check your local chemists - you could be very lucky. 

Let me know if you've tried 'em and your thoughts, ja? 

Monday's Moments: 08/07/13

Good morning, all. Monday again but if you're anywhere in and around Ireland or the UK that's a-ok because the sun is splitting the stones and is set to continue to do so for the duration. Yuss!

Kick ass weather aside, there's still been a bajiilion things that have brightened up my week and chased the Monday Blues away, despite battling the lurgy for the past 6 days. Wanna see 'em? 

1. BodyShop Barg

On my trip to the chemists to pick up lurgy meds I decided I might treat myself to the Vineyard peach shower gel as a pick me up. I had no clue there was a sale on. 

Turns out instead of €8.95 for one bottle of gel there was serious sale jiggery pokery going on and I ended up with this ha-yooge BodyShop haul for just €38! That's just good beauty maths. 

2. Parenting Made Easy

There are times when we're just dossing round Casa Cherry that I forget I was once a Mam to two weenchy babies just 18 months apart. 

This week I was approached by Easy Parenting to share some hints and tips that helped me get through those times and some difficulties and I couldn't have been happier to help. I'll be sure to link the piece as soon as it goes to print. It's amazing how easily we put aside life experience until it's called into question isn't it? We've come a loooong way, Gorgebags!

3. Silver Lining to Sickness

I'm afflicted with a condition that I've spoken about before, I'm an eternal optimist - it can't be helped! This week was a case in point when I was struck down with a ridiculous dose of chest/throat and sinus infection that literally floored me. 

There's an upside though, there always is. I got to spend the week at home with the lads just chillin', not only that but because my voice was gone I got a break from the phone too. Keeping up with work from my Boffice (patent pending by @3namc) meant that I still stayed on top of things. Gotta love the silver linings. 

4. Date Night, Just Me & My Dude 

A lot of the time the three of us will head out for an evening's gallivanting, if the lads aren't off gallivanting without me or I'm not at an event or work shindig. 

That's why it's a real treat when I get to have a date night with with either of 'em, just the two of us. This week saw myself and Adam snaking over to the centre for some quality Momma/Son time for eats and a movie. Both were epic by the by. 

5. London Calling

Adam snapped this pic on our trip in '09 (He was 11!)

Finally and probably most excitingly, London is indeed calling this week. I've packed up my mála for a very exciting trip that I'll be sharing with you next week. It's, without doubt, one of my favourite cities and I can't wait to get my tuckus over there. 

In the mean time be sure to keep an eye on Instagram and twitter as I'm sure I'll be snapping away and sharing some of the madness with everyone. LONDON, BABY. 

Tell me, what's chasing away your Monday Blues today then? 

Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo Fiber Brush Collection - Review!

I mentioned at the start of the month that I'd managed to bag the Real Techniques Limited Edition Duo Fiber brush collection for a bargainous €11.36 WITH delivery from iHerb.com. 

They arrived at my office 7 days later so how have we been getting on since then? 

'Duo Fiber' brushes aren't duo fibre at all - They're just synthetic

First impressions of this collection is how sparse the hairs are in comparison to regular Real Techniques brushes (some of my all time favourites).  The handles are white aluminium with this collection, making them lighter to use, it also means they stand out in a sea of black handles. 

I was a little dubious as to how effective they'd be once I realised that their density was lacking but pleasantly surprised that they add a new dimension to my make up collection for that very reason. 

First up the Face Brush is ridiculously soft and the sparsely held synthetic fibres make the ideal brush for finishing powders when setting your make up. 

The powder seems to be drawn to the fibres as tapping the brush doesn't release the excess yet when applied to the face you still manage to get an airbrushed effect as the powder skims over the skin. 

The Contour Brush is more densely packed than the Face Brush but as you can see reacts similarly with powder. Flatter than most contour brushes this fits into the hollow of the cheeks (I have them, honest) and buffs contouring colours beautifully. 

I've also used this one for blush and the effect is the same, airbrushed loveliness. 

As I've said the original Real Techniques brushes are some of my all time favourites, not least because of their eye collection but this feathery soft Duo Fiber Eye Brush is an absolute cracker for blending out and crease work. 

Again, the brush is shaped perfectly so that it sits on the crease of the eyelid and sweeps across gently. The trick here I've found is to let the brush do the work for you. Add more layers of shadow for a deeper pigment but never more than gently press onto the skin. 

So overall would I advise you pick these up? Abso-lutely. I have nothing like them in my collection and I don't imagine you do either. Handcut and 100% cruelty free, there's not a lot not to like. 

I'll go back to the main clincher though, these are professional quality brushes for a pittance in price. My order came from iHerb.com, they've given me a share code for all first time orders RLL469 that will get you between $5-$10 dollars off your order. Of course if you wanted to stock up on other bits that'd be your chance to do so as the site appears to be full of bargains. I stopped looking - pesky kids and their need to eat every day (selfish). 

If you've managed to bag a set of this collection I'd love to hear your thoughts? 

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Brushes - Bargain Price from iHerb.com

I've a bit of a bargain watch for you this morning. I caught a glimpse of these new limited edition Duo Fiber brushes from Real Techniques a couple of months back but they've yet to be released in the UK or Ireland. 

Because I'm a huge fan of the Real Techniques brushes I've bought so far I knew I'd have to get my mitts on these. The three brushes boast ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles, they're hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free with white aluminum handles to make them lighter than standard wooden brushes. 

Directly from the Real Techniques site, this collection will set you back $20 but from iHerb.com you're going to get a better bargain than that.   I managed to order the collection for $19 but availed of the 20% sale at the time and a first time customer code (like the one below) and these beauties are en route to me for a nifty $14.99. 

That's just €11.38 including delivery!  

Orders are shipped via Global Priority Mail by DHL, for this order I was charged $4, considering I was charged $15 (!) for 3 bottles of nail polish from 8ty8beauty only last week using the same mode of delivery, that's a definite bargain. 

Because I made this order they gave me a personal iHerb gift code to share with you lovely peeps. Enter RLL469 in the promotional codes box just before purchase. 

New customers receive $10 off their first order of $40 or more, or they can take $5 off orders less than $40. Just a quick squizz through the site will give you an idea of the other bargains on offer. 

The not so great news is that once these puppies go on sale you've got to order fast. They've sold out three times since I bought them. They're out of stock at the minute but you can opt to be notified when they're back in on the site. 

I'll have a full review up once I get to play with them but in the mean time lemme know if you manage to bag a set. Yesh?

Simple Shopping at TheLoop.ie: Bish, Bash, Bosh

You might remember that I mentioned being lucky enough to head along to the launch of The Loop.ie several weeks back, you might also remember that a couple of weeks later I high-tailed it to London for a weekend of shenanigans with my Sis – what connects the two I hear you ask, getting to try out the super simple and potentially dangerous (to your bank balance) Loop.ie with a trial €50 voucher is the answer.

TheLoop.ie is a virtual home for all of the airport shopping delights that you can fawn over and consider without any pesky loud speaker shouting that ‘You, Ms CherrySue, will be turfed off this flight if you don’t unhand the MAC and get your tuckus on the plane!’*. With all of your favourite brands for beauty, accessories and alcohol (within the EU), whether you’re flying from Dublin, Cork or Shannon you can now order anything from the site and have it waiting for you on your check in day.

Bish: Logging On

Having waited with bated breath until the prerequisite 48 hours before my flight, I logged onto TheLoop.ie with my flight number, time and destination  My details were automatically pulled up and I was off, studiously salivating over every other page – envisioning topping up the voucher, blowing all of my holiday spends on bargain beauty and dining on bread sticks for the weekend.

Bash: Ordering Your Goods

Knowing my grá for Armani’s Eyes To Kill (one of my HG shadows), I decided it’d be nice to treat The Sis. I picked up colour 28 for her and colour 27 managed to slip into my virtual basket for me (more on that soon). At €23 each I was feeling no pain. Now my limit of €50 for trial purposes was pretty much depleted but I thought it rude not to continue perusing.

That’s when I stumbled upon this gorgeous bargain on the Estée Lauder page. My choice of gloss for €5?! So thrilled was I that it’s already been a Monday’s Moment. This little purchase pushed me €1.40 over the voucher value. Thinking the site would have a meltdown if I tried to top up, as other sites can, I was pleasantly surprised when it readily accepted my Laser card for the few sheckles extra and sent me a confirmation mail with full instructions immediately.

Bosh: Picking Up Your Precious

Pick up for goods ordered on the site starts at 4am in each terminal so there’s plenty of time to collect them, even if you’re on the reddest of red eyes. The confirmation email contains clear, step by step directions to get you to your collection point – in my case it was in Terminal One so towards the back of the Terminal (where Bobbi Brown and Duty Free are located). Upon presentation of my email and the Laser card used to make the whopping €1.40 payment, my goods were retrieved from the locked storage behind the desk and handed over. Really couldn't have been simpler.

Should you not want to bring your purchases with you (If you've gone a little mental with the buying), you can always avail of the Shop & Collect scheme and have the airport hold onto your goodies until you land back in Dublin post holliers. Choosing this option means that once your flight touches Irish soil again you get a reminder text to pick up your goods (If you haven’t spent the last two days of your break with your palms sweating in anticipation of getting ‘em).

And that’s it, it really is that straightforward and simple. Order, Collect, Love: Bish, Bash, Bosh.

Have you tried the service yet? 

 *May not have been the actual announcement

Psst: As of last week TheLoop.ie are

the only Irish online retailer of MAC Make Up!

As THE shop that takes up most of my pre flight time

this is music to my travel loving lugs!

Sneak Preview of SpectaculART by Catrice

This teaser arrived in my inbox yesterday with a sneak preview of Catrice's Autumn Winter 2012 collection, SpectaculART. 

Catrice say that this limited edition collection is 'Inspired by crossover couture and the Indian Bindi look of the winter fashion season 2012.' The focus is on the eyes as eyeshadows in elegant metal shades offer dramatic eye make-up looks. 

The more eagle eyed and nail polish obsessed amongst us will have spotted this gold flake nail polish. If OPI's The Man with the Golden Gun 18k gold topcoat was a little out of your budget or inclination then this looks like a perfect replacement. 

SpectaculART from Catrice is expected to hit stands in Novemember.  

Will you be keeping an eye out? 

New Cherry Blossom Girl Polishes - Essence Autumn 2012

We all know I'm a big Essence fan when it comes to polish, that and a sucker for all things Cherry so I was thrilled to spy Essence's new polish offering for Autumn 2012 on stands this week. I've been so impressed with every one of these that I just had to share so that you can grab some, before the collection disappears, should they appeal to you too. 

My Little Kimono is a light taupe brown with a silver blue shimmer woven through. Beautiful in the sunlight and subtle enough for any occasion. It's a darker than the colour in the bottle once applied but still puts me in mind of Chanel Frenzy with one coat. In short, it’s a beaut.

It’s Peach Not Cherry is a creamy peach orange polish with a luxurious formulation that belies its €2.29 price tag. Again application is a cinch, barely two coats needed for smooth, opaque colour.

Fortune Cookie is a bright mustard, much like a the neon yellow of a Fortune Cookie (funnily enough). There’s a silver micro shimmer here too that translates to shine on the nail. Just Gorgeous.

Cherry Cherry Girl is a wowzer bright orange with red undertone, it reminds me a lot of a creamy Hedonist from Model’s Own in real life. It’s a shiny in yo’ face irreverent addition to the Autumn season and is currently on my tootsies. 

As with this entire range the polish itself applies with no issues whatsoever. Two thin coats = perfect nail colour. There's no top coat used in these pics either, look at that shine!

CherryBlossom Girl Polishes - €2.29 each or the lot for €9.16. Mad, Ted. 

If you haven’t tried Essence polishes before, I’d urge you to do so. Not only is the price ridiculously affordable but the colours are always on the cutting edge of trends and the formulation easily holds its own against (if not supersedes) some high end brands.  

You’ll pick up this entire collection for just under a tenner or just the one for less than the price of a coffee. Essence are available in all good pharmacies, larger Penney’s, Boots and Dunnes Stores.

We Like?

Fashionista - Amber Glow Blush

I'm on a spending ban, a very strict one, partly because I've been haemorrhaging money every time I pass a beauty counter of late but mostly because the lads went back to school this week and uniforms for grown men don't come cheap. 

When the eldest INSISTED I bring him to Santry to pick up a game (he's not on a spending ban) I thought it'd be a little bit rude not to throw an eye into Superdrug and perhaps swatch ALL the things. 

When it comes to beauty, I see with my hands and not my eyes

I'd heard of budget brand Fashionista before but because I'm not often in Superdrug, I hadn't tried their products. Having considerably swatched a good portion of the stand, my hand was drawn back to Amber Glow again and again. 

Fashionista's Blush, Amber Glow - €4.95

Amber Glow is right up my coral loving street. Highly pigmented with a golden shimmer, it's the ideal blush for fair toned ladies (of which I am one). I've been grieving the loss of my Bella Bamba as a bright cheek colour for evenings out but this one is spot on at just about one tenth of the price. 

Now I hear you thinking there, spending ban, right? I mauled this mono blush for a good five minutes before the eldest sloped around from the manly men's aisle. I explained my predicament and he took the blush from me 'Is this all you want?' 'Uhm *frantic scanning of the stand* Yep', and with that he brought it to the counter for me with the change from his game. Score!

Technically I didn't break my ban, though the wages bill this Friday will be up by a fiver, but for €4.95 and the chance to build a budget freedom palette (once the ban is lifted), I'm absolutely loving my first Fashionista purchase. 

Have you tried anything from their range before? Anything else I should pine after?