Help Getting to Sleep: Catching Elusive Zs After the Christmas Break!

So we did it, we managed to survive the first official working week back of 2019. Or did we? Hands up if you looked at the clock every hour on the hour, hands up if you found yourself scrolling Instagram at 4am, while sleep eluded you... Hands up if a bleary eyed google search brought you here.. Luckily, I got you, a good night's rest is just on the horizon with my 5 top tips on how to beat insomnia and have you sleeping again in no time at all. 

A Blogger Recommends - New Tag Post

Trying a little something new this afternoon with my first Tag Post. As a beauty blogger, the one question I've been asked a bajillion times is 'So what's your favourite product?'. I can't be alone in that so thought a Tag would be the ideal way to garner shout outs for some much loved products but also be somewhat helpful for those wanting to see our ultimate buys too. 

The premise is simple, share your favourites, ones that in a sea of beauty goodness shine bright like beacons of what a product truly should be. Game changers, life helpers and all 'round good eggs. I'll start with my top five, can't live without, will recommend till the cows come home, shall I? 

1. Benefit Gimme Brow

Benefit Gimme Brow: €24.50 Here

I've recommended this weenchy pocket rocket so many times that I'm pretty sure I'll be putting all of the Benefit babies through college. The size makes it an ideal brow saviour for chucking into your mála, whether travelling or just as a fail safe tidy up. 

Its genius fibre/gel formulation is buildable and flatteringly adheres to both hair and skin so is a boon to patchy browed babes. Whether I just want a quick tidy in the morning or want something more substantial for a night on the tiles - Gimme Brow has my back - well it has my brows but you know what I mean..

2. Bourjois CC Cream

Bourjois CC Cream: €10.49 Here

Another constant in my recommendation repertoire, I have never suggested another base as often as I have Bourjois' 123 CC Cream. We all know by now that I'm a huge fan of the French brand but when it comes to the pinnacle of their game, Bourjois have knocked it out of the beauty park with this. 

Boasting 3 colour correcting pigments to combat bags, pigmentation and any number of other unwelcome visage shades, this CC cream glides on effortlessly and really does last all day long. While I topped it with a little powder on my forehead, this camouflages  my pigmentation, combats the 3pm redness and still feels like I'm wearing nothing at all (insert vision of Sexy Flanders here). 

It's the one product that people come back constantly to tell me that they share my unfaltering love for. It's that universally good. 

3. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow

Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow: €65 Here

The most expensive of my beauty mannas from heaven but the most complimented in all my years of beauty loving, is the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow. Earning a prize place in my October Faves just this morning and in my daily routine since the day I got my mitts on it, I genuinely can't recommend this enough. 

Flattering on every skin tone, if you're looking to change the (perceived) shape of your face with just a swish or two, this is the baby for you. The spendy price tag might be a little off putting for some but only the slightest touch is needed for incredible definition. I've used this every day for almost 3 months now and barely dented the pan so cost per use is minimal. You could spend a tenner on several duds a year or spend once on this - that's just good beauty maths. 

4. Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Black

Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Black: £2.45 Here

Ever try a product so good that when you see others choosing between brands in the store that you want to whisper to them? Beverly Hills Formula Perfect White Black is formulated with activated charcoal so might be a little startling in all its blackness on your toothbrush but rest assured it'll whiten your teeth like no paste before. 

I noticed a difference instantly in breath freshness and in the colour of my pearly whites within 5 days, quite frankly, I wouldn't be without this black number now. I've bought this for friends and family and recommended ad nauseam - for less than a fiver a tube, you've nothing to lose in giving this a bash. 

5. This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

€20.80 with Free Worldwide Delivery Here

Do you struggle with insomnia? Have trouble switching off of an evening? Wouldn't it be nice to have a product that guarantees zeds in minutes? Let me introduce you to the Deep Sleep Pillow Spray from This Works - this actually works. I'll go one further and tell you that this should be labelled as chloroform in a bottle because within minutes of spraying its relaxing scent onto my pillow, I'm sound asleep. Every. Single. Time. 

Infused with essential oils of Lavender, Vetivert and Wild Camomile to soothe the body and mind, the pillow spray is completely natural so safe for use with restless kiddies too (proven by my nephew Séamus (6)). I thought originally that it might be a placebo effect, sheer coincidence that every time I spray this, I sleep, but then I bought it for friends. It works for everyone, every time. Wouldn't it be nice to buy sleep? Well tan-spankle-ah-dah - now you can!

And that's them, products I'd happily put my name against and have done, regularly. 

Imma Tag some of my faves in the beauty blog business to throw in their two cents, whether in a blog post, a comment here or an Instagram with the hashtag: #ABloggerRecommends (that's a nod to Ruth, of course!).

I read these gals on the daily & of course you should too but there's a bajillion others, so if you're not linked, sozzles, do please take part & Tag your fave bloggers too!

Step right up & show us your ultimates: 

Agoraphobic Fashionista

Laura over at Beaut.ie

British Beauty Blogger

DollyRouge

Emerald Eyeliner

Fluff & Fripperies

Frillseeker

John, It's Only Makeup

Leanne Woodfull

LetzMakeUp

Nurse FancyPants

Makeup Fairy Pro

Miss Makeup Magpie

Makeup Monster

My Makeup Perspective
Makeup Over Mind
Sarah Lanagan

Sharon Farrell

Simone Loves Makeup
So Sue Me

Viva Adonis

Mother's Day Gift Guides - Whatever Your Budget - Under €20 - Under €50 - Under €100

I know a lot of you clever peeps will be well set for Mothering Sunday this week, - for those of you that aren't yet? You know it's Mother's Day this week, right? Should you be in possession of a Mother (Mother in Law/God Mother/Awesome Aunt) you might want to read on. 

I've put together a couple of ideas, whatever your budget, to show your Mamito that you love her. Of course love doesn't cost a penny and she will, most probably tell you - 'Arragh, you shouldn't have!!' but she will be grateful and you will be the favourite child. True story. 

We've spoken about or reviewed pretty much every product here before, so if you're unsure about an ingredient or different stockist just leave me a comment and we'll sort you and your Momma out. Rest your reading eyes and feast 'em upon your best buys for every budget: 

What say we? 

Of course all your Momma really wants is to spend some time with you, even if that's just bending your ear on a 30 minute phonecall home or even better a lunch somewhere swish. 

These are preeeety nice sweeteners too though, right? 

Tell us, have you bought your Mother's Day Gift yet? 

Are you a Momma yourself and looking forward to the day? 

To the Comments!

February Favourites 2014

Being one of the shortest months of year definitely puts February in my good books. That and the fact that both mornings and evenings are getting brighter. Daffs are springing up all over the shop and there's the slightest hint of heat to the sun when we get it. 

As Favourites go, February was a lot to so with a fresher approach to both skincare and make up for me, so without further ado - here be my February Faves: 

1. HealGel Eye: €40.33 w Free Delivery Here  

You might remember a while back we reviewed HealGel Intensive and were pretty amazed by the results on his scar. HealGel Eye, made by the same crack team of plastic surgeons and skincare specialists. You only need the tiniest amount of this aqueous gel patted onto your eye area to have an effect and boy has it. 

HealGel will tell you it's the duel action hyaluronic acid complex but I'm telling you it's jiggery pokery that has all but eliminated the tell tale dark line under my dark circles that rat me out after a night of House of Cards binge watching. The skin around my eyes is definitely more hydrated after 3 weeks use and I've found myself skipping under eye concealer & reaching just for a swish of highlight to see me through the day instead. Jiggery. Pokery. 

2. Real Techniques Silicone Liner Brush: €7.50 Here 

I admitted my ineptitude when it comes to gel liner and the elusive flick in this Monday's Moments. I also revealed in the same post, however, just how much this revolutionary doohickey has done for me and my liner skillz. 

The tiniest silicone tip means that we're talking cork on your fork level natural lining ability to create a beautiful flick with much less effort and definitely less profanity than ever before. I've a second one of these bad boys stashed for precision nail art work. Inspired invention, Sam Chapman, Inspired. 

3. This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray: €19.50 Here 

I first mentioned my initial reaction to This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray here. That was only one night in and I can truthfully say that this natural sleep aid has changed the way I conk out through the week. 

A fragrant blend of lavender, vetivert, wild chamomile and witchcraft, I have yet to spray my pillow and not be catching deep and meaningful zeds within 10 - 15 minutes. I read reviews and didn't believe them. I used the product and didn't believe it. Several weeks later though with consistent results? This Works. I believe it. 

4. The BodyShop Vitamin E Overnight Serum-In-Oil: €22 Here 

Staying with the sleepy sleepy snooze time theme, The Body Shop have struck silky skin gold with their latest release, the Overnight Vitamin E Serum-in-Oil. Relying heavily on Community Fair Trade Soya Oil and Wheatgerm Oil, this nourishing blend is just the right balance between oil & serum to leave your visage refreshed and appearing fully rested. 

There was a notable difference from my first use but within just 3 days my skin was nearing newborn baby's bum territory and led to several second glances from colleagues as I stroked my own face, Disney Princess style (albeit trapped in a cubicle shaped dungeon). If you're looking for some oomph for your nightly skincare routine, look to the BodyShop. It's so nice I almost justified the price comparison to our UK sisters (£12 v €22!!) *strokes face again to calm down*. 

 5. Bdellium Tools 776 Blending Brush : €5.57 here (RLL469 - Discount Code)

If you're a lover of a good blending brush or even just a fan of the smokey eye, you need this Bdellium brush in yo' life. Lauded as an affordable dupe to MACs much hyped 217, there's not a day since receiving this brush that I haven't reached for it. Not. One. Day. 

Although I was unsure at first, it seems the 776 just needed a little breaking in and, truth be told, I wouldn't be without this brush or its natural fibres and swishy ways again. If you pick up just one thing this month. Make it the 776. You won't believe your eyes. Literally.  

6. Paperchase Screen Cleaner: €5.50 Here

I picked up this cute little feller in Arnotts last week and he has quickly become a firm pal of mine. Just a tiny disc of cotton, I give my, consistently grubby, phone screen a quick wipe and he sticks back on to the back of my phone for next time. 

Admittedly I was dubious as to how gimmicky he'd be but it turns out the back of the disc is made with that not stick, sticky stuff - you know like the dashboard mats? I would have preferred a darker colour as he himself is looking like a grubster already but for handiness, ease of use and an ideal pressie to slip into someone's card? You can't go wrong with this little lion. 

7. Dolce by Dolce & Gabbana: €62 - launches March 6th - More Info Here

Normally I won't include a Favourite that hasn't launched yet but I want ye to be on the lookout for this little spritz of Spring heaven when it lands this week. Dolce by D&G is the kind of scent that tells you spring has sprung. Neroli & papaya, blended with white florals (daffodil & Amaryllis) and musky base notes had me spraying Dolce liberally onto several of my scarves for the working week ahead. 

The bottle itself, clear to reveal the spring green coloured fragrance and topped with a pretty resin flower, an homage to Sicilian Confectioners and their use of the marzipan flower. Trust me on this one: Dolce = pretty, in every sense of the word. Check it out on the 6th. (Momma's will LOVE this one for their dressers. Just sayin')

8. Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RD305 Lust - More Info Here 

Launching this month, Japanese high end skincare and make up market leaders, Shiseido are bringing us 8 shades of Laquer Gloss, a sheerer, though buildable version of brand favourite Laquer Rouge. 

Shimmer & scent free with only the tiniest particles of micro glitter, Laquer Gloss in Lust frightened me in the tube in all honesty. I get panicky around reds. On application though my lips were transformed. Sheer hot coral can be built up for a non sticky, full on, vamped up red and I'm actually loving it. Several passing (complimentary) comments later and I'm sold. 

Keep an eye out over on Instagram as I'll be posting swatches of this and others before the full Shiseido SS14 breakdown later this week. Shiseido to me is grown up glamour and Lust has only reinforced that feeling. I do glamour me. 

9. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure: €33.97 here

The beauty world is alight with Hourglass and their Ambient Lighting Blush releases right now and that's not for nowt. These hybrid affect blushes, each hand poured work to bring light to your face that really has no business being there. 

A natural extension to last years Ambient Lighting Powders, each colour complements one of the previously released compacts and I can safely say, not owning one of them, this blush complements me too. 

I pre-ordered Mood Exposure and Dim Infusion from Space NK last month and, shocked that I received them two days later, Mood Exposure hasn't been off my face or out of my reach since. Benefit's Rockateur was my Holy Grail blush - Mood Exposure is what Rockateur's classier cousin would wear for fancy dinners in an Amy Huberman advert - for the same price(!). I've already bought a backup but get thee to a Space NK counter and tell me I'm wrong. I dare you. 


Tell me, what were you loving last month? Anything I should be checking out?