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!

June Faves 2013

So the lurgy very nearly beat me this week but I couldn't let the month go on without a shout out to the stand outs of the past four weeks. June, you were a good 'un, here's some of your best bits: 

1. Essie, The More the Merrier: (€12.99)

I've made my grá for this Essie Summer collection very clear here but given Sophie's Choice and having to pick a favourite, the truth is I've been reaching for this stunning lime creme more than any other polish in the past month. 

If I remove a polish just to reapply it then I know it's a winner. THREE TIMES I've done that with The More the Merrier. That's a Win. 

2. The BodyShop's Vineyard Peach: (from €13.50 in store)

This body butter was sent for review last month and one sniff of the Fuzzy Peachesque wave of nostalgia and I broke my own Blogger cardinal rule - I delved in immediately and rubbed the heady scented gorgeousness up my arms. 

I've since rebought the entire collection having realised it's Limited Edition. The scent lingers for the entire day and the body butter is definitely a thigh rubber (as in I have a little rub of my thighs when on the loo just to feel the loveliness) (It's how I judge all body creams)(I never claimed to be sane). 

3. Clean Marine's Krill Oil: (€21.99)

I'm a big believer in supplements helping us out of a tight spot but fish oils usually repeat like goodo on me so I avoid 'em like the plague. I was dubious when this Krill Oil pack dropped on my desk and the smell once the packet was opened was nowt short of noxious. The fact is though, that these don't repeat once swallowed, not even a little bit. 

I've found my nails are stronger, skin a little clearer and my general mood seems to be lifted. Apparently they're recommended for PMS too, though I'm not a sufferer, thankfully. The lads were also sent the male version and I thank them for getting them through their recent exams, they've continued taking them without me asking and that's a miracle in itself. We like you Krill Oil, you can stay. 

4. FitFlop's Electric Indigo Yoko Summer Sandal: (€99)

I'm a FitFlop fan, I say this, I tweet this, I Facebook this, we know this. This Electric Indigo pair has to be one of the highlights of my shoe wearing Summer. 

I'm no longer driving so am now walking to and from work everyday. These wobbleboard workout pretties have not only made that trudge more bearable but my legs are really feeling the advantage too. Keep an eye out early next week as I'll have something verrry exciting to share from the FitFlop Gods. Keep Peelers Pelt. 

5. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Collection: (from €7.89)

When it comes to budget beautiful hair care, John Frieda really do have the (Super)market cornered. This newest collection, Luxurious Volume, is just that, luxurious to use and volumising to boot. 

Normally I'll use several combinations of serums, oils and sprays with my shampoo and conditioner but on a recent weekend away I realised I didn't need to do that with John Frieda. My grúaig is soft but full and easily manageable for up to three days. It's a busy Momma's dream. 

6. Versace Yellow Diamond: (from €41)

Though I will always call this brand Ver-sayce in honour of Showgirls, I've never really been a fan of the ostentatious style that goes with it. That was until I took one sniff of this pretty on a Sephora stop in Paris. 

Light and bright the smell is exactly what a Summer scent should be. It's uplifting, lasting and incredibly easy to wear. I like it. A Loh. 

7. Dove Compressed Deodorant, Invisible Dry: (€3.49)

These new compressed bottles that house exactly the same amount of spray are not only space saving genius but a manna to all ladies on the run. 

Not only does it fit in the smallest of málas but the scent is beautifully fresh and lasts. Ideal for a quick spritz during the day. I'm not a usual groper of pits but I have noticed that mine seem softer since using Dove Invisible Dry (that could be subliminal from all the flashing of pittage in the ads). Either way, I've since bought three more for my desk, dresser and mála. Love the stuff. 

8. Estée Lauder Pure Colour Stay on Paint in Cosmic: (€23)

While haring around Sephora in Paris last week one of the only counters to stop me in my tracks was Estée Lauder. Once I'd set eyes on this super soft, ridiculously pigmented paint shadow I knew we were going to be friends. 

A deep copper that's literally stuffed with multi coloured micro glitter I had worried that it'd be dry on the lid, not so. It applies like a dream and once set (in a mo) it lasts all day long. Be-A-YOOT-iful with green/blue eyes, I'll certainly be checking out the rest of this SS/13 collection. It's love. 

Wheeeweee, that's them, my June faves that'll be the cream of the crop for the foreseeable. You might have noticed that a lot of the links I've included are to Boots.ie, have you used it yet? I'm afraid of Laser meltage. 

Do let me know what your June favourites were and, of course, if you're a fan of any of my ones - it's always good to know that a great product works brilliantly for more than just me. 

Happy weekend, everyone!