May Faves ft Bioderma, Charlotte Tilbury, Clarins, Dior, L'Oreal, MAC, New Look, Salvatore Ferragamo, Sure, Versace & Zerreau!

1. Versace Eros Pour Femme: €80 HERE & Salvatore Ferragamo Emozione: From €53 HERE

Vesace Eros Pour Femme & Ferragamo Emozione

Yep, it's unusual for me to feature two fragrances in one months favourites but the Gods honest truth is I couldn't decide between these two. Much as I can't decide between 'em day to day either.

Versace Eros Pour Femme is, possibly, the best advertisement for not judging a perfume by its bottle. The bawdy, gaudy high shine, heavyweight gold design is just about as in the face as you'd expect from Versace but, Sing Hosannahs, the scent is aptly named after the Greek God of love himself, Eros. It. Is FABOOSH!

Top Notes include Sicilian lemon, Calabrian bergamot and pomegranate accords, with a heart of lemon, sambac jasmine absolute, jasmine infusion and peony. The base incorporates sandalwood, ambrox, musk and woody notes. It's as surprised at a scent as I've been in quite a while and anyone that's been within spritzing distance from me for the past month will agree. You gots to sniff it!

Ferragamo's Emozione happened to arrive on the same day as Eros Pour Femme and they've been duking it out ever since. Emozione is as powdery as I'm willing to go scent wise, I've never really been an Iris fan. Until now. 

Top notes are bright citrus bergamot, softened with powdery of iris & velvety peach bringing a roundness to the scent. The heart notes are feminine florals with peony, Bulgarian rose, heliotrope and patchouli. With base notes of suede and white musk, Emozione is easily the most elegant fragrance I own but, again, I've yet to accost a friend or colleague that doesn't love it too. 

2. Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise Veruschka: £22 HERE

Charlotte Tilbury Eyes to Mesmerise - Veruschka

Having lusted after the Tom Ford Summer '15 cream shadows ever since early pics emerged, I was full sure that I'd need to own one or risk certain combustion. That was until I swatched the unadulterated beauty that is Charlotte Tilbury's Eyes to Mesmerise in Veruschka. 

Ridiculously pigmented, you only need the tiniest amount of this minky moss/greeny gold lustrous cream to transform your look in just one swipe. Easily buildable after the fact for desk to disco shenanigans, I'm pretty certain now that I'm going to need every shade in the range. IT'S AN ILLNESS I TELL THEE!

3. Clarins Aquatic Treasures Mascara: €26 HERE 

& Liner: €18 HERE

Clarins Aquatic Treasures

Summer wouldn't be summer without coloured liners and mascaras coming out to play and it certainly wouldn't be summer in my books without the newest Clarins limited edition collection. This year we have Aquatic Treasures and while, as ever, the bronzer is literally stunning (PEEK HERE), the stand outs this year for me are the Truly Waterproof mascara & liner in matching aquatic green. 

Not normally one to opt for greens when it comes to eye make up, being the sporter of green/blue siúls, this duo has seriously surprised me. I was sporting the peach/plum shades of Bare Minerals The Happy Place when this press drop landed so popped both on my lower lash line and HOLY NEW PEEPERS, BATMAN! 

I can't imagine an eye colour this combo won't flatter, aside entirely from the fact that they. do. not. budge! That's a tall order when it comes to the waterline. Should you be tempted I'd urge you to leggit, not walk to your nearest Clarins counter & pick 'em up!

4. Bioderma AR BB Cream: £10 HERE (at independent Irish pharmacies from this month)

Bioderma AR BB Cream

Boasting seven skincare benefits in one application, this AR (Anti Redness) BB Cream from Bioderma is definitely one for typical Irish lasses to get excited about. The first skincare/makeup hybrid of its kind, the main focus here is on preventing & concealing redness, without ever feeling too heavy on the skin. 

I was taken aback at first when I saw the colour 'Light' but it blends in beautifully with my skin tone, never felt heavy and lasted the full 8 hours of work. Sensitive skinned lovelies and those suffering from Rosacea will be particularly interested in this Bioderma first. Form an orderly queue, lads!

5. Sure Maximum Protection Stress Control: €7.50 HERE

Sure Max Protection Stress Control

When chatting with blogging pals a little while ago we got to chatting about old faithfuls. You know the products that, no matter what's thrown in your basket or dropped on your desk that you'll return to again & again. Well Sure Max Protection Antiperspirants are that for me and this newest version is no different. 

Though Stress Control is not as fresh as my ultimate Clean Fresh version, I've found it lasts a lot longer on me and yeah, possibly up to 48 hours. I walk most every day, 5k+ at a time and Stress Control has yet to let me down. Even in a pinch when it's a baby wipe & back to the desk situation, this stuff just works and smells bloody good doing it too. 

6. L'Oreal Hot & Go Spray: €1.50 HERE

L'Oreal Hot & Go Blow Drying Spray

There's not a lot I wouldn't do for faster blow drying time, some things, but not a lot. Handy then that L'Oreal have come out with this canned genius & handier again that you can nab it for just €1.50! 

It's a smoothing heat defense spray, that literally speeds up bow drying time and let's face it, who doesn't need both of those things. I'm genuinely not sure how the science works but I do know that if you have hair then you wanna try this spray. Trufax. 

7. DIOR Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye Blush Edition Coral Sunset: €51.30 HERE

DIOR Diorskin Nude Tan Tie Dye Blush Edition Coral Sunset

Is it possible for me to gush any more about Coral Sunset? Is it? I mean just look at her, sit there, take a breath & LUKATAR. 

I have a full review of this beauty & my other Cherry Picks from the limited edition Dior collection HERE but it's fairly safe to say that Coral Sunset will be my favourite this month and next month & the one after forever and ever AMEN. 

8. MAC Morange: €21.50 MAC Stores Nationwide

If you read my review of Smashbox Fireball Matte last week then you'll know I'm all about the orange lips this summer. Which is handy considering THE ENTIRE BEAUTY WORLD is all about orange lips too. 

Morange is  well known as one of MACs cult lip colours but I've always been too chicken to try it. Flash forward to this stunning little press kit from the brand and VOILA, I'm converted. Morange is vividly pigmented, with red undertones and applies like a dream, once I have my lips prepped. 

A show stopper on nights out and a heart stopper each time I catch a glance at the ombre Wash & Dry tube, it's safe to say we won't be soon parted. I feel now about bright lips like Steve Martin in The Jerk with his 'If this is out there, think how much MORE is out there!'

9. Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo: £6.99 HERE

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo

What we have here is next gen dry shampoo!

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo is a revelation. Pump the foam into your roots, towel out grease, product build up & style as normal. You're left with volumised, fresh tresses with the slightest hint of green apples.Powerful enough, apparently, to remove even hair chalk, I can see this new hybrid being a manna from heaven for Gals at this summers festivals. 

Ideal for hair emergencies & last minute fixes. I'm loving it so far.

10. New Look Rose Gold Laser Cut Cross Body Bag: €9.20 HERE

New Look Rose Gold Bag - with added Cherries HERE

Metallic, laser cut, zip detail, cross body, bucket bag, ROSE GOLD - I mean if that combination of words isn't enough to sway you.. And that pic above isn't enough to bring you around then how about the price? 

Less. Than. A. Tenner. I KNOW. I've never been complimented on a bag as much as I have this one. It's served me well up & down the length of this country and Irish Sea hopping to London too. If you love the metallic trend and love a bargain, hell if you just love a friend that you think could do with a pick me up, you need to zip it over to the New Look sale and pick this beauty up. Frankly I'm shocked there's any left!!


So tell us, what was tickling your proverbial pickle in the month of May? I'd love to know!

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!

One Shadow To Rule Them All. The Eye of Satin Taupe! - Guest Post from Dolly Rouge!

This morning I'm delighted to say we're joined by one half of one of my favourite Irish blogs, Kat from DollyRouge.ie. Kat is a no nonsense, tech savvy sweetheart, working on a post grad in medicinal chemistry and debunking the beauty blurbs one by one. If you have a question about 'the science bit' Kat is your gal, also if you're a bunny lover, I've no doubt Kat is your pal too. Be sure to head over to Dolly Rouge to check out their straight up awesomeness as a blog. 

Take it away, Kat!

In the Land of MACdor where the shadows lie... Ok I'm sorry I'll quit with the LOTR quips now. I just couldn't help myself!

There's a belief in the beauty world that one needs an array of eyeshadows in every colour of the rainbow. An eye look is not complete without using at least 173 of said shadows on the little canvas that is your eyelid. YouTube gurus, makeup artists and bloggers alike are all guilty of perpetuating this myth. Well, as the laziest beauty blogger in the world, I'm here to tell you, IT'S ALL LIES. Srsly. All you need is one shadow. O.N.E.

Not good at pairing complimentary colour combos? Haven't quite mastered the art of blending? Have about 0.2 seconds to get yourself together in the morning? This post is for you. The key is to pick an eyeshadow with duochrome, and it can do all the work for you. Case in point? MAC Satin Taupe. I'm sure many of you have this in your collection already. If you don't, don't rush out and buy it. Wet N Wild do a perfectly passable dupe in their Silent Treatment trio, the one marked “eyelid”.

So here's the story (Rory). MAC Satin Taupe/ Wet N Wild Silent Treatment Eyelid shade is a mushroomy, brown-taupe shot through with a silver frost. The silver frost catches the light, while the taupe hides out in the recesses. This means that when applied all over the lid and blended into the crease, Satin Taupe alone does the job of multiple shadows – giving brightness on the lid and darkness in the crease. Don't believe me? BOOM.

For a daytime look, apply with a fluffy blending brush, ensuring to soften the edge above the crease. Pair with your daytime liner/mascara of choice and a nude lip and get out the door! It's a lovely, work appropriate look.

For a nighttime look, also smoke the shadow under the eyes and pair with black liquid liner, or smudged out kohl on the upper lid and water line. It goes very well with a strong lip, as the following pictures show.

There you go, that's my precious secret. Most times I've had compliments on my eyeshadow in my YouTube videos, this is what I've been wearing. Another one to try is MAC Club, which is a darker brown with teal duochrome. The teal comes through on the lid and the brown marks the contour. Gorgeous.

Will you be trying The Eye of Satin Taupe?

Kat. 

Christmas Party Makeovers: 5 of Dublin's Best Beauty Counters

With silly season well and truly started I wouldn't be surprised should you tell me that you've already been to your office Christmas shindig - hell I was at an eBay festive knees up in January!

Chances are though yours is upcoming and besides exfoliating your bum daily for crystal clear photocopies and/or practising your gracious ducking and weaving to avoid the scaldy mistletoe, there's a couple of places that can really help with your preparation. Today we're talking make up and the professional application thereof. 

I've picked out 5 of the best beauty counters I've used in the past, though I can't guarantee they can recreate the festive facial explosion above...

1. Benefit: 40 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

The masters of the Benebrow, Benefit are a stellar choice when it comes to makeup application, not least because the gals listen to every word you say before they ever pick up a buffing brush. Instead of a set fee for a makeover the policy here is to buy two products - that's a full face for you and potentially two Christmas gifts - Win/Win/Win! 

While every Benefit counter will take great of you, I'd highly recommend you pop into the newly opened Boutique in South William St to make an occasion of it (the fact that there's a new cheesecake shop on the same street is a happy coincidence). 

2. MAC: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

When it comes to party looks, MAC have it down. You can really vamp it up in the hands of the MAC girls and I'd heartily recommend a trip to your local counter or standalone store to be transformed before your very own eyes. 

3. Smashbox: 60 mins: 

Free with the purchase of two products

With the Wonder Vision sets flying off the shelves you'd be crazy not to consider allowing the Smashbox ladies to beautify you before heading home with two products in your mála. 

While I've yet to meet a Smashbox SA I didn't love, the team in Arnott's are second to none. My makeover with the lovely Emma (above) is the first time I've ever 'wowed' myself after the big reveal as she'd done such an incredible job, I was loathe to wash my face that night. 

4. Inglot: 40 mins: 

€30 Redeemable (Lashes €10/€12/€14)

The most affordable of the bunch, Inglot's makeover for just €25 is certainly nothing to be sniffed at. The pigmentation of their shadows are incredible and offer some of the best longevity on the market today - highly important when off for a night on the tiles. 

With an entire store of shades to choose from the girls will give you exactly the look you'd like or you could, as I often have, give them free reign to create a masterpiece - once you love it they can make up a palette of the shadows used so you can recreate the look at home for your next bajillion nights out. 

5. Chanel: 40 mins: 

€40 Redeemable

If you're anything like me, the only time your entire visage will be covered in Chanel is when I've had a make over. If you're looking for something a little bit special, maybe a trip for you and an office pal before your night out then Chanel is the way to go. 

It's an ideal opportunity to pick out something a little luxurious for a special lady in your life (including yourself) using the €40 redeemable tag. With the new Christmas make up collection Nuit Infinie de CHANEL, you're sure to feel a million dollars on your way out for the night, the chance to say 'It's Chanel Dahhhlink' is just a bonus. 

Leaving it to the experts means no more getting yourself in a sweat wrangling with the dreaded flicked eyeliner and taking a flannel to your face 30 minutes before your party (I've been there). 

As the season hots up be sure to book at least a week in advance with your counter of choice then sit back and enjoy. 

MAC Aprés Chic: Fireside Mineralize Eyeshadow

Could we just take a moment and look at how stunning the visuals for this Springs Aprés Chic collection from MAC are? Every time I pass that beautiful lady in a super snood I just want to knit a scarf on two logs and lounge in it for days. Seriously - where did she get it and why did she ever get out of it? 

When it comes to MAC I'm more of a dabbler than an avid fan, with each release there's always something to pique my interest but I can usually resist as I find their pricing a little on the ouchie side. But I'm not always so restrained as a search under 'MAC' in the sidebar will show. 

Aprés Chic is yet another limited edition collection, you'll find the serious skinny for the entire kit and caboodle over on Temptalia, with Christine's signature swatches, breakdowns and ratings of every single product but 'round Casa Cherry way we're tightening a belts a little (lot) so I've made do with the one piece that, had it legs it would have jumped up and bitten me. I'm talking Fireside. 

Fireside is one, if not THE ONE of the five Mineralize Eyeshadows from the collection. Very like Earthly Riches in it's purple/plum loveliness, it's a reddish brown (which my green eyes adore) and shot through with a metallic teal, very like my other MAC hero, Club. 

Fireside can be used dry as a wash of colour all over the lid or using a dampened brush, it's a beautiful crease colour for a neutral smokey eye with a bit more interest. As you can see from the picture below swatched on the skin there's almost a bronzed effect when the colours are blended together. It's only when the light catches them that you're given the slight hint of duochrome from the teal. 

Left: Dry & Right: Wet

I'll be featuring Fireside in an upcoming post on volumising mascaras so you'll get a chance to see it on the actual eye (well its lid) but until then, should you like the look of this puppy then you need to hot foot it to your nearest MAC counter, this was the second last in BT2, Blanch and it's already sold out in Dundrum. 

It'll set you back €21.50 but as with all of the MAC Mineralize Eyeshadows will last you forever and a day. 

Have you been tempted by anything from the Aprés Chic collection? 

MAC Glamour Daze: Stolen Moment & Round Midnight Swatches

MAC collections and I don't always get on, it could be that there's a bajillion a month so not only is it impossible to keep up but I kind of lose enthusiasm in a product if it's being consistently churned out. The Extra Dimension and the Glamour Daze collections are a little different though and I'm more than a little in love with them. 

My affair started with Superb from the Extra Dimension release, it's a rose gold skin finishing powder that hasn't left my rotation since purchase in April. As soon as I realised it would be released again, this time with similar eye shadows I was all over it. 

Stolen Moment & Round Midnight: €21.50 each

I'm a big lover of palettes and well priced beauty goods so when I caught a glimpse at the price of these weenchy little pots (€21.50 each) I couldn't help but flinch... but then I swatched 'em..

Stolen Moment

Stolen Moment is a bright champagne taupe in the pan but a deeper shade once applied. With purple undertones and a high metallic finish, it's an absolute beauty on its own or blended into the crease. 

Round Midnight

Round Midnight is a deep burgundy based purple with intense colour pay off, even swatched lightly. Again we're talking high shine metallic finish but used wet it's completely opaque and will not budge once on the skin. 

While both shades are stunning once applied, I'll have to be honest and say that they're really not worth €21.50 a piece. I love them, truly I do but have had buyer's remorse since purchase - I just can't see how MAC can justify over €20 per shadow when the likes of Urban Decay, Stila or indeed Inglot will present a stunning palette for the cost of two shadows. 

Have you picked up anything from the collection yet? Or are we over MACs very many Limited Editions already? 

NOTD - MAC Mean & Green

I was thrilled to spot this iridescent beauty back on MAC counters during a recent visit. Mean & Green was originally part of the 2010 Venomous Villains collection that brought me my other favourite MAC polish, Fomidable but I never managed to bag this or Bad Fairy (that one still haunts me) until now.  

You see MAC have brought back 31 polishes and added them to their permanent collection, you can check out swatches of the others over on the lovely Christine of Temptalia's blog. Once I saw this beauty though, I knew it had to be mine. 

  
I would never be able to take enough photos to truly show you the beauty of this polish. It's a deep plum in a green jelly base with green, gold and purple sparkle and dimensions ready to leap off the nail every time the light hits it a different way. It's very Orly Space Cadet. 

My one bugbear with this polish though is the ridiculously fast tip wear, within 24-48 hours it's rubbing off but just look at those colours. It's mesmerising on the nail, so much so that I've forgiven it for its fickle ways. 

MAC polishes are priced at €12.50, with the 31 new(ish) additions available on counter now. Have you tried any yet? 

MAC - Extra Dimension - Skinfinish/Highlighter in Superb

It's very rare that I run out to buy a product, much less rare that I call the shop the night before and get up at 9am ON A DAY OFF and make sure I'm first in line to have it but since seeing Dusty Hunter's video about the new MAC In Extra Dimension collection and the fact that Superb Extra Dimension Skinfinish/Highlighter is an exact dupe for the Holy Grail & impossible to find Estée Lauder's Modern Mercury illuminating powder gelée, that's exactly what I did. Knowing that Éstée have recently purchased MAC, it was only a matter of time before there was some cross over in products produced. Thank the Lord.

This skinfinish/highlighter is a rose gold, dry to the touch but oh so smooth product. It looks a lot warmer in the pan than on the skin. It catches the light beautifully for a high shine finish but I find it a lot more subtle than metallic, making it a win for Irish skin tones. 

Swatched (heavily) wet on the left and dry on the right

I've been using this highlighter just about every day since purchase such is my grá for it. I'm loving it as a highlighter on temples, cheekbones and décolletage but also as a subtle but hugely flattering eye shadow. This handy photo shows you exactly where to use it. The genius that is Dusty Hunter had suggested using Modern Mercury (& this as it's a dupe) as a funky nail polish. Simply paint your nails with a clear basecoat, brush this powder on lightly and seal with a topcoat for a unique metallic finish. I've yet to try it but I will.  

The beautiful Christine over at Temptalia.com has Superb in a face of the day, which shows it's subtlety perfectly.  She's also rated it A- and coming from one of the leading beauty gurus, that's pretty phenomenal. 


At the time of writing this post, Superb has already sold out on the MAC website and I can envision the shops running out fairly quickly too. I bought it for €28 in BT2 in Blanchardstown but I know that each of the MAC stores (Cork especially) are hugely helpful in holding and posting products to your home should the want overcome you. 


Tempted?




PS... If you haven't followed Dustin Hunter yet, do yourself a favour and get on it, I love the man muchly.  

MAC Face & Body - My New HG Foundation

Having read a recent post on THE Irish Beauty Blog Beaut.ie about renowned make up artists recommendations for photo fabulous foundations it was clear that MAC was topping a lot of lists.

Knowing I was due to graduate this week and the cameras would be flashing it was time for action. I have been using and loving Tolereine Teint for the past few months but it's not the best you can get for photos.

Using a BT's giftcard I booked myself in for a make up demo on the morning of graduation to try it out. At a cost of €40, redeemable against MAC products it was money well spent. David did a fantastic job in next to no time, which even garnered compliments from my youngest teen (He doesn't do compliments, certainly not make up compliments). And I picked up Face & Body for €36 in N2, which matches my skin tone perfectly.

Looking slightly yellow on the skin

But blending in beautifully

Here's what MAC have to say: 'A water-based, water-resistant foundation that provides long-lasting, natural coverage for face and/or body. Ideal for all skin types. Face and Body Foundation provides sheer, natural looking coverage in an easy to blend, water-resistant formula. The long-lasting formula is available in a wide range of colours and contains several emollients to help moisturize and condition the skin. It delivers professional looking results that meet the exacting standards of beauty photography and is ideal for perfecting the face and body.'


I've been using this every day this week and am completely in love. It can be worn sheer but builds fantastically well when more coverage is needed. I can see why Face & Body is getting the much deserved adoration. At €36, it's not cheap but that's for a 120ml bottle that can be used, funnily enough, on your face or body. Price per use is actually outstanding value. Especially when it works.

I can't recommend highly enough booking a demonstration with BT's, you can be sure you'll get your perfect shade and a expertly made up face to boot! (figuratively speaking).

Are you a Face & Body fan? Tempted to try?