Beauty Advent Calenders - The Best of 2013

Personally I'm a newbie to advent calendars that don't involve me popping  a Dairy Milk stocking into my mouth before porridge of a December morning but the burgeoning beauty advent calendar is slowly converting me. I say slowly as I've yet to part with my cold hard sponds for one yet but 2013 is looking like the year that that just might happen. 

Pop Up Mani Shops in Dublin! ft Ciaté & Chanel

I do love a good pop up and when that pop up happens to be a manicure mecca then mores the better. 

This weekend sees two leading brands showcase their polishes in a very temporary fashion. 

First up Ciaté have landed in BT2 Grafton Street:

Secondly, effortlessly chic, Chanel are taking up temporary residence in Arnott's, Dublin with their LETE PAPILLON DE CHANEL Summer 2013 collection.

The Sis & I availed of Azure (green) and Bel-Argus (Blue). Stunners!!

Tell me, will you be dropping by to see what Chanel or Ciaté have for in store for Summer talons? 

Have You Made the Prudent Purchase Yet?

When the lovely gals at Prudence approached me about featuring their newly made over September/October issue it really was a no brainer. Prudence, you see, is the only magazine that I resubscribe to, without fail. 

The reason(s) I do that?

• It's 100% Irish
• Their bumper beauty sections mean there's always up to the minute products
• The advice given is always completely honest and unbiased
• The style pages give the perfect mixture of high street and high end fashion
• Their fashion features not only predict trends but make them accessible to every purse
• There's always a great mixture of culture, courses for many interests and pop culture 
• The ethos behind Prudence is just that, Prudence, the spotlight is always on money saving and savvy advice. Who doesn't need that?

Now this month, there's more reason than ever for you to forego just one coffee and pick up this issue: 

• The new redesign is chock full of bright, glossy photos and up to the minute info
• A whopping 30 fashion pages of affordable Autumnal looks
• A chance to attend an exclusive movie screening of Ruby Sparks (it looks hilarious)
• Two readers will win a very generous €250 for their autumn wardrobe
• A huge 20% voucher off gorgeous nail brand Ciaté that can be used for 6 weeks!

As I've said I automatically resubscribe every year for both my Sis & I, that means we get Prudence a couple of days before it hits shelves, which I love. The annual subscription is only €15, which always comes with a fantastic reader offer (this month it's Avène Eluge Eye Cream worth €35). If you're stuck for a gift for a friend or family member, you really can't go wrong with a gift that keeps on giving, such as a magazine subscription. 

Check out Prudence.ie for more information, hints, tips and fantastic competitions and do be sure to let me know what you make of this issue. 

NOTD- Sherbet Dots

Nails today are about as simple as they can be, I wanted something light and summery but quick to put together as I was running late and Tan-spankle-ah-dah! This is what I came up with.

Colours Used:

• Ciaté - Purple Sherbet 
• Sally Hansen - Greige Gardens 
• Revlon - Metallic 860
• NYC - Prince Street

So simple a tutorial isn't even needed, two coats of Purple Sherbet followed by random dots of the rest of the colours. This look takes, literally, minutes and is an easy one to replicate on your non dominant hand. 

We like?

Heads Up: Get Your Glossie Freebies From Today. Ciaté, Benefit & Leighton Denny!!

Ding, Ding, Ding - following on from last month's fabulous Nails Inc giveaway with InStyle the glossies are spoiling us with beauty freebies again from today! Wanna see what's on offer?

Marie Claire has a choice of 3 Ciaté polishes, some of the most beautifully formulated polishes on the market that sell for €10.50 a piece normally. There's a pastel lilac, a mauve based nude and a pinky coral. I'm so getting all three if they're on the shelf. 

Pic courtesy of foreverglitter.blogspot.com

In Glamour, you have the chance to get your mitts on a Benefit mini. While I'm not crazy about Bad Gal mascara, Porefessional is the shizz as a pore minimising primer, or That Gal is a slinky pink version, hugely flattering for Irish skin tones. These are travel sized products but your saving is still worth a gander and a perfect chance to try before buying as Benefit can be spendy when you're not sure you love the product. 

Finally, you've a couple of days to get yourself ready for this one but BE ready as they'll fly off the shelves fast. Harper's Bazaar have three hot, hot, hot shades of Leighton Denny up for grabs. These rank high in my favourite polishes, they sell for €18 here or €14.30 delivered from Feel Unique! Either way you're looking at a hefty saving and some fairly daycent polishes to add to your collection.

I'm going to be rich in mags! Are you tempted by anything?