Unsung Beauty Heroes - Products I Rely on So Much That They Fly Below the Radar

While I love to share the latest goss about the newest product and what's coming down the beauty tracks, it struck me this week that there a lot of perennial products that I am literally never without. The Unsung Heroes that rarely get a mention but woe betide me if they're not in supply for everyday living. Ready for my repeat purchases? 

1. Kiss Nail Art Paint Stripers

Yep, I'm a fiend for nail art, yep, there's rarely a day that I don't have painted talons and/or have experimented with a new design. These Kiss Nail Paint Stripers will set you back just €7ish in Dunnes Stores and make it into my basket, probably once every two months. 

There's not many nail looks I don't use them for and you shouldn't either. Cheap as chips and a nail stash staple. I can't be the only die hard fan. 

2. Aquafresh Extreme Clean Whitening 

I'm fairly particular when it comes to our gnashers and despite veering off course a couple of times, it's been at least 10 solid years that Aquafresh Extreme Clean with Whitening has been a favourite in Casa Cherry. 

One of the few (the other 8 listed are the others) items that I'll bulk buy in Boots 3 for 2 or when there's Points specials on, you can be guaranteed there's at least two tubes of this minty fresh toothpaste under our sink at all times. At least two. 

3. L'Oreal Elnett Hairspray

This love goes back to way before Cherdill Cole ever claimed 'Wai I'm Worth IT'. Elnett is the first hairspray I ever used (as it was pilfered from my Momma for my 90's 'bump' way back when. 

There's a reason products like Elnett have been around for aeons and that's because the suckers work. Regardless of the hair care fanceries I have floating about the place, there'll always be a tin of Elnett. Always. 

4. Seche Vite High Shine Top Coat

Since my discovery of Seche Vite several years ago, no high shine top coat has ever come close. Yes, it goes gloopy and Hell YES that's a real pain in the bum but regardless of short life span, shrinkage issues and high cost on this Island, I won't be without this whizz. 

There is literally nothing that will give you the high shine Seche Vite will, NOTHING, believe me, I've tried and I've taken to bulk ordering from eBay for my fix but whether it's quick drying or mani rejuvenation you're after, Seche Vite is the best. Hands down. 

5. Bourjois Glitter 1 Seconde Polish 

Granted my nail polish stash wouldn't be out of place on Hoarders and that fact doesn't stop me perusing the polish aisles of Boots every time I'm in - there's only one glitter that I will repurchase time and again once it runs low. 

Bourjois Glitter 1 Seconde is a holo glitter in a translucent pink jelly that sparkly dreams are made of. No other polish will give you this glitter payoff, look effortlessly pretty over a French or breathe new life into a boring polish job. If you haven't tried this - Do. 

6. Johnsons & Johnsons Baby Oil Aloe Vera

Right at this moment there is perhaps 5 bottles of this oily baby in our bathroom. The go to oil to rub into damp skin before towel drying and proper moisturising, I taught the Gorgebags this soft skin trick many moons ago. 

Even if I don't have time or inclination to use a body butter/lotion (in pre Disco Nap showers for instance) the baby oil always makes an appearance. I can't be the only one still hooked on this practice? 

7. Boots Double Sided Cotton Wool Pads

This is a standard repeat purchase right? It has to be, I don't know anyone that doesn't stock up on Boosts Cotton Pads when there's a deal on (that's ALWAYS). From micellar water usage to cleaning my talons, there's something a little luxurious to me about this humongous cotton numbers. 

8. Rich Haircare Silk Oil Serum

Of all the haircare goodies I get to trial and those I'm suckered into shelling out for too (J'accuse Moroccan Oil!) Rich Haircare's Silk Oil Serum is the only consistent we've known for the past five years. 

Stupidly affordable for the quality of product, the three of this run this through damp hair before drying. I'd honestly credit it with my lack of split ends #humblebrag #notsorry. I only need to replace this probably once every 6 months as only the tiniest amount is needed but I love it. We love it. It's love. 

9. Estée Lauder Sensuous

Since its introduction in 2008, I have never not had a bottle of Estée Lauder Sensuous to hand. My staple airport purchase, pressie request and signature scent, I love this fragrance like no other. 

At a recent meeting I bemoaned the fact that the new EL scent, Modern Muse, was completely lost on me. I smell the scent and get nothing, nada, zilch but the expert in question told me that that means that's my fragrance?! Have you ever heard such jiggery pokery? Truly I wear a scent that I enjoy so that I can enjoy it, one that makes me feel good and brightens my mood with just one spritz. Sensuous is all that and then some. We won't be breaking up anytime soon. 

So now that I've shared, wrack your brain and tell me, what products do you rely on and love repeatedly in everyday life? Something so part of your routine now that it becomes second nature and flies below your beauty radar as it's just part of your life - Tell us!!

 

New Smashbox Fade to Black Collection: Fall 2013

When I popped across to London last month for Smashbox's Fall collection launch I was sure their naming cue came from the old Metallica choon, I was wrong - as I often am. Inspired by film and the drama of dimming the lights for dramatic effect, Fade to Black boasts the full spectrum from flattering neutrals to the most intense blacks. 

How 'Blondie' is that graphic?

I've been featuring this collection and drip feeding the products for weeks now but thought it best to give you the full low down, now that you can get your mitts on it this side of the Sea. 

Made up of two shadow palettes, two Be Legendary lipsticks and two Waterproof Shadow Liners but although it's not as large a collection as expected, there's some serious quality to be had with these products. 

Waterproof Shadow Liners: Blackest Black and Black Gold: €19

The Waterproof Shadow Liners are one of my favourite products from my Smashbox arsenal, so these new limited edition versions caught my attention immediately. Precision  smudgeable colour can be used as either a liner, a shadow or a shadow base for the lid. Black Gold needs to be seen with your very own eyeballs to appreciate the tarnished metallic loveliness that can be achieved with just one stroke. It'll be a staple in my Autumn/Winter rotation. 

Be Legendary Lipsticks: Cognac & Black Cherry: €19

Don't allow these lippies to fool you, the seemingly translucent nude, Cognac is actually a warm caramel once on the lips and Black Cherry, while the deepest of plums in the bullet is more a sheer plum once applied. Both are more than suited to a Fall make up look, though Black Cherry has been on my lips for weeks now. 

Fade to Black Palette: €39.50

The first of the two palettes, containing 7 shades each, boasts 4 mattes and 3 shimmers. Colours are richly pigmented despite their creamy soft formulation and blend easily on the lid to create a dramatic smokey or stripped back neutral look. I'm getting an entire working day without creasing or fading with these shades, though have tended to use the lightest as a base only. 

Leaning more toward the purple hues, the second palette contains 3 mattes and 4 shimmers. Again the consistency is faultless. Truth be told this is the one I'm reaching for more often as the shades complement blue/green eyes and the neutrals are more deeply pigmented. As with all Smashbox shadows you're never left second guessing placement, a quick scan of the QR code on the reverse will bring you straight to a How To video, filmed in the LA studio. 

I've never made a secret of my grá for Smashbox as a woefully overlooked brand in Ireland and their products as some of my go to saviours since I can remember. While the price point is slightly higher than off the shelf make up, the quality of the pigments and the fact that they just bloody work, means I recommend them over and over when asked (and sometimes when I'm not).

The Fade to Black collection is on counters next month, the sales girls are some of the most helpful, non pushy make up ladies there are so I'd recommend stopping by for a scout when you're next in Boots or Arnott's. 

Are you a Smashbox fan? Anything here grabbing your attention? 

Tried, Tested & Loved: My Unsung Beauty Heroes ft Xen-Tan, Seche Vite, Murine, Avon Supershock & Cutex

While I love to bring you exciting news of upcoming launches or products I've been getting to grips with, I thought today I'd spare a thought for the real heroes in my every day rotation that have never quite made it onto the blog before. Products that I've bought again and again ad infinitum and will continue to buy because they just blahhdy well WORK. 

First we have Xen-Tan gradual daily self tan. I first mentioned my adoration for this product, which predates my blogging escapades, in a comment on this post by Karen of the LovelyGirlyBits about forgotten favourites. 

I've been using this olive based, vanilla scented tanner in bouts, every time I use it I spend the following day or three admiring the warm, natural glow it gives my kisser and décolletage without the self tan smell and then, inexplicably, I stop. Without fail, when I've begun to use it again I always wonder why I ever stop. You can be guaranteed there'll be at least two tubes of this lovely stuff in my stock at any given moment. If you haven't tried it yet, please do. 

Seche Vite is a game changer when it comes to quick drying top coats, truly. It's the only top coat I've ever used (and there's been many) to actually dry the polish in 60 seconds flat. It penetrates every layer of polish and base coats and adheres them to the nail bed to a 'have the eye out of your head' super shine finish. 

Ideal for nail art, polish on the go and reviving manis after a couple of days wear, I can't sing the praises of Seche Vite highly enough. Again, I'll always have at least two bottles in my stash. 

I have CherryPops (el Daddio) to thank for my love of Murine eyes drops. For as long as I can remember he's sworn by them for dry and tired peepers and they've certainly helped me out on countless occasions. 

While I wouldn't recommend consistent use of any kind of eye drops, Murine works instantly to clear, brighten, whiten and relieve tired eyes. They've been a saviour for me on nights with less than 6 hours sleep, on the occasion that I jab myself viciously in the eye with a mascara wand (waaay too often) and on nights out and about - one drop of these bad boys in each súil and you're instantly awake again. I heart 'em. 

There's one Avon product that I've bought 5 times now and that's a lot to do with the fear that I'll never find it again. Avon's Supershock eyeliner in Blackberry is a super soft, deep plum/brown metallic kohl that's ridiculously flattering on green/blue eyes. 

This lovable, smudgeable liner glides on effortlessly but, once set, refuses to budge. It's hands down my all time favourite pencil liner (despite its need to be sharpened about 3 times a week).  

Last up we have Cutex Moisture Guard. Another cheap as chips (only cheaper) product that I've bought probably a bajillion times so far. I've a full review of my love for this remover here. It's nail friendly, not too stinky and bloody good at what it does, isn't that what a product hero should be? 

Despite trying a moxy load of other removers, Cutex is one brand that I consistently come back too and you can be pretty much guaranteed there's no less than 6 bottles of this stuff floating around Casa Cherry at any given time. 


So that's it, these tireless beauty heroes have finally had their day. Tell me this though, is there anything that YOU buy so often that it's become second nature at this stage? 'Eggs, Milk, Lug-Hole Wax Strips'?  Lemme know!