October Favourites ft Bourjois, Balenciaga, Estée Lauder, Essie, Liz Earle, Kérastase, Charlotte Tilbury, Rimmel & Tiger!

I know, I know, a beauty post, who'da thunk it? It's only when I look back at the past couple of weeks posts that I realise they've been few and far between of late. Despite my sneak peeks at upcoming products over on Instagram and slapping the keyboard as the Style & Beauty Blogger for the Dublin City Guide, poor aul CherrySue le Blog has been losing out. Fear not though, I'm on it! 

In that vein, how about a look at the products that've been tickling my beauty pickle more than any other this past month? Excellent, let's do this: 

1. Kérastase Nectar Thermique: 

€20.28 Here

I've been rocking the Keratin Complex treatment from Queen in Aungier St this past few weeks so normal shampoos and conditioners have been given the heave ho in favour of sulphate free alternatives. Because of that, styling wise, I haven't needed a whole lot of product but after each and every wash I've been loving this leave in treatment from Kérastase. 

This ultra nourishing cream is applied to towel dried hair and not only cuts my blow dry time in half but leaves my locks soft and shiny too. The Royal Jelly Extract works to smooth down flyaways without ever feeling weighted or greasy. Of all the Kérastase loveliness I've tried, this Nectar is by far my fave. 

2. Essie Take It Outside: 

€9 Here

I've been recommending Essie's Take It Outside to all that will listen for the past month or more. Topping my favourite Autumnal Nails post just last week, I can't say enough good things about this flattering greige - though I try. 

If you're looking for a polish that you're likely to remove only to apply again then Take It Outside should be top of your list. That and Debenhams are selling the entire line for just €9 right now. Get. On. It!

3. Estée Lauder - Revitalizing Supreme CC Cream: €55 Here

One reason Estée Lauder will consistently top my favourite brand list is consistency in both quality and performance. At first glance €55 seems slightly spendy for a CC Cream but even during application you can feel the difference between this and cheaper counterparts. This Supreme CC Cream leaves the tube as a greyish cream but transforms on the skin with the aid of micropigments. 

Lovers of full coverage bases won't find this is enough and I must admit the SPF 10 is almost too negligible to mention but BUT my skin has never liked a base as much as it has this. Luminous and soft, it feels as though my skin has light reflecting properties with none of the sparkle. Yes, it's €55 but I'll gladly spend that again once I'm through with this one. Gladly.

4. Bourjois - 1 Seconde Volume Ultra Black: 

€12.99 Here

The original Volume 1 Seconde was a stand out mascara for me this year, so I was thrilled to see an Ultra Black iteration make its way to our shelves. The patented brush is the same, one of my most loved shapes, with spherical bristles in among the straight sweeping ones to cover every last lash with ease.

While I didn't find this newer version 'ultra' black, I do prefer it to its predecessor in terms of longevity. Again Bourjois prove they can hold their own with high end beauty heavy weights. I've reached for this tube more than any other in the past month because I know it will just work. You can't always say that with mascara.

5. Charlotte Tilbury - Filmstar Bronze & Glow: 

€65 Here

Had you told me a couple of months back that I'd be contouring daily and feeling slightly naked without, I'd have scoffed in your face. SCOFFED. But then came Charlotte's Filmstar Bronze & Glow. I can't emote with sufficient intensity your need to try this palette. 

Forget Lion King scary contour lines and Kim K attempts at shading warpaint, this, THIS is what will give you that effortless contoured look with just a couple of sweeps. The matte Sculpt shade is my perfect shading colour and the champagne Highlight is the buildable highlighter of my dreams. Truly, I've worn the CC cream above, this and the Bourjois mascara and been told I've never looked better. It. Is. Love.

6. B. Balenciaga: 

€61 Here

B. Balenciaga is  Alexander Wang's first scent for the French fashion house & nothing like I had expected. A clean green scent grounded with dark wood, it smells like I imagine the rainforest does after a downpour. Absolutely gorgeous. 

I've been guarding closely my sneak preview sample but the urge to share the scent when people ask what I'm wearing is more than I can bear and I always end up giving them a spritz. THIS is why B. is smack bang top of my Christmas wishlist thusfar. Seek it out and spray it for yourself, I defy you not to fall in love. 

7. Liz Earle - Limited Edition Cleanse & Polish: €23.50 Here

I have made no secret of my love for Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish over the years - you can see my full review here. Always a sucker for a limited edition, it was the very same night that I met Liz Earle MBE herself (I KNOW!) that I eagerly opened this Sweet Orange & Mint version to put it to the test. 

That was last month, I've been using this cleanser every other night since. While the performance of this unctuous cleanser is just as luxurious and comforting as its standard counterparts, it's the scent that truly sets this one apart. Bright and zesty, I truly own no cleansers with quite the same scent and have looked forward to using it every single time. 

8. Tiger - Phone Charger: 

€9 In Store Only 

I don't normally recommend products that you can't easily get your own mitts on but were I to tell you that this €9 charger from walkaround mecca, Tiger is the fastest I've ever used would that sway you to make the trip? 

As is the case with most people these days, my phone is now an extension to my arm and never put down - unless I'm in the office of course - ahem. This means, more often than not, I'm scrambling to have it recharged before I head into town and start my Spotify accompanied trek home. 

This charger gives me 100% in less than 30 mins, without overheating or losing charge once I unplug. The slightly odd thing is, it's only when it's plugged into the wall but what matter? 100% in under half an hour that holds a charge longer than usbs 3 times its price. It's like a little Lotto win. Only better. 

9. Rimmel Provocalips: £6.99 Here

Another product I've raved about ad infinitum is Rimmel's newest lip laquer, Provocalips. Available in 11 shades of vibrancy, there is no lip product on the market today that will give you the longevity these bad boys do.

But a word of warning - though saturated in colour and a cinch to wear, you should make sure your lips are in top condition before applying. Not moisturised but prepped (I give mine a little scrub with my toothbrush when brushing my teeth). A second word of warning - there is zero room for error here, as the lacquer STAINS. Use a steady hand and go slow for instant, dramatic colour. All in all if you're looking for unparalleled wear time in a lippie, you're looking for Provocalips.

C'mom, tell us, what were you loving in the month of October? 

Autumnal Nail Faves - Five of The Best

For as long as I've been a beauty lover, I've been a huge polish fan too - maybe longer. While I don't dabble as much in the nail art end of things quite as much as I used to - blame ALL of the work I'm lucky enough to be doing - I still love to paint my talons on the daily. Yes, Summer colours are where my heart lie but there's just something about Autumnal shades that make that seasonal shift a little easier. Wouldn't you agree?

Essie Take It Outside

Essie's Take It Outside from their Fall '14 collection is easily the stand out nude of the year for me. Almost cast like in the bottle, this shade comes to life with purple and pink undertones once the light catches it. The unassuming shade is flattering on all skin tones and has been flattering mine on the regular these past weeks. 

Catrice Metalfusion

Catrice have never not impressed me when it comes to polishes. I can't count the amount of times I've sent pals and readers in the direction of their stands for high quality, cheap as chips polishes to suit all occasions. Metallure is the Autumn/Winter collection (more on that later) and Metalfusion here is the stand out lacquer for me. Opaque in one coat, stunning in two, this pewter foil wears like a polish 5 times it's €2.99 price. 

Essie Partner in Crime with China Glaze BOO-Gie Down

Talk about unassuming, Essie's Partner in Crime had to be the one from the collection that had me least enthused. I mean, it's brown. Straight up, no frills about it, brown. It's only when you paint it on that something magical happens - you realise that actually, you quite like brown. It's a stunning autumnal colour and with the aid of China Glaze's BOO-gie Down from their Halloween '13 collex, you get this gorgeous mani. It's one of my most liked Insta nail pics - who can argue with that?

Bourjois Violine Hypnotique

When it comes to autumn, nothing says seasonal nails quite like a rich burgundy metallic. Think Chanel's Rouge Noir but with a subtle microshimmer that lights up in sunlight. That and lasts a hella lot longer too. Bourjois' Violine Hypnotique has been a standing fave of mine since its introduction and is genuinely one that I look forward to wearing as the weather gets colder. It's also been known to make an appearance on my tootsies all year 'round. 

Nails Inc Porchester Square

The spendiest of the bunch and my second favourite nude, Nails Inc Porchester Square is a doozy. A dream to apply (Nails Inc know their brush shizz) this wears better than any nude I own. Though it's a beaut on its own, I can never help myself but add a little su'him 'su'him. The glitter here is an antique gold from a Claire's Accessories stack that probably cost a fiver for 10. BARG.AIN. That's the thing about autumnal nails, glitter is back in the game - choose your favourite base and go to town with complementing or contrasting colours. The world really is your glittery lobster. 


I could go on and on and Arist-on about favourite polishes but I'll leave my Autumn picks there... for now...

Tell us, what do you like to wear this time of year? If you have NOTD posts, sure the more's the better, pop you link in the comments below and we'll all take a squizz!

Things I'm Trialling ft Charlotte Tilbury, Clarins, CND, Essie, Garnier, L'Occitane & Urban Decay

1. Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray: €25.40 Here

For the longest time the only setting spray I'd ever use was Thermal Spring Water and even then that was a rarity. You see if I've a full day or evening ahead, I'll use a primer (another rarity) and think no more about it. This All Nighter setting spray from Urban Decay has changed my mind about that entirely. 

The fine mist contains Temperature Control Technology, so not only does it hold my full face in place but I manage to avoid the unavoidable sweats in this hoomid indian summer. I don't use it every day but when I do, it does exactly what it says on the buidéal. 

2. Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow: €65 Here

Can we just take a minute? Just. One. Minute. I know we're reaching peak saturation on Charlotte Tilbury blog posts but if I were to tell you that this Filmstar Bronze & Glow palette has actually overtaken my obsesh with the Hourglass Ambient Light would you allow it? 

Forget Lion King scary contour lines and Kim K attempts at shading warpaint, this, THIS is what will give you that effortless contoured look with just a couple of sweeps. The matte Sculpt shade is my perfect shading colour and the champagne Highlight is the buildable highlighter of my dreams. Truly, I've worn BB cream, this and mascara and been told I've never looked better twice this week alone. It. Is. Love. 

3. L'Occitane Whipped Body Cream: €22 Launches Oct

This whipped shea body cream reminds me of exactly that, whipped cream. Whipped cream with a comforting scent of some seriously spendy Sudocrem. Don't for an instant think I mean that as a bad thing, this sumptuous whipped shea butter melts into the skin like no other butter I've used but the scent is unmistakably Sudo.  

For 25 years, L'Occitane have used shea butter from the women's co-operatives of Burkina Faso. The inspiration for this mousse like body cream came from the ladies themselves in their production of the butter. Deceptively rich, despite its light weight appearance, this has been playing a blinder in cocooning my skin before bed this week. A luxurious delight. 

4. CND Vinylux: Open Road Collection: €11.95 Each from Selected Salons 

One of the original gel effect polishes, without the need for lamps, CND have captured transitional autumnal shades beautifully with their Open Road collection. Always my choice of polish when it comes to holidays, because even I don't want to be fickle when sunning myself, it's a long lasting beaut. 

CND promise 7 days chip free once you skip the basecoat and use the topcoat correctly but truth be told I can never get more than 5 from my mani. Then again I am notoriously hard on my nails. Of Open Road, Clay Canyon HERE and Sage Scarf are by far the standouts to me. There just aren't polish shades like them in the nail varnish world right now. Love. 

5. Essie Fall '14: €9.99 Selected Irish Pharmacies

We know I love my Essie, right? It takes a serious collection to make me leave Summer shades behind without a backward glance and Essie Fall '14 is exactly that to me. 

These rich cream shades are pretty unassuming when you line them up but once you get them on the nail KABLAMMO instant autumnal fabulousness. Expect to see a hell of a lot more nail shots in the coming weeks. That's a promise. 

6. Clarins Eye Quartet Mineral Palette: €41 Here

Clarins Ladylike collection for AW '14 is exactly that, subtle, effortlessly chic and ladylike. I had already fallen head over heels with the dewy True Radiance foundation, this mineral palette has just reinforced my love for the back to basics look for this season. 

All colours can be worn wet or dry, I find I prefer dry for the day time, as each shade is soft and blendable regardless. Of an evening though, with a dampened shadow brush, you can kick the intensity right up with these shadows. I'll have a full low down but do please stop by the Clarins counter and swatch these babies for yourself. Stunners. 

7. Garnier BB+Blur: £8.66 Here

When asked for my BB recommendations I will invariably go back to the original Garnier BB cream. No muss, no fuss, just a genuinely decent BB that gives a soft, semi sheer finish. Fast forward 2 years and past the introduction of Garniers show stopping 5 Second Perfect Blur primer and you have a hybrid many will want to rush out and buy. 

This BB iteration is everything the original was and then some, a big some, a Perfect Blur some. The addition of the blurring product sends this BB right to the top of my recommendation list. Even skin tone and blurred out fine lines for the entire day, without ever feeling heavy or mask like on the skin make Garnier BB+Blur a stonking great hit for me. 

8. Clarins Rouge Eclat in Pink Magnolia: €23 Here

Another winner from the Ladylike collection is the Rouge Eclat lippies. 5 new flattering shades provide soft, shiny colour with hydration not seen in other lipsticks that last quite this long. 

From delicate peaches right through to a rich red, there's something in this collection for everyone. Formulated with 100% plant waxes, such as jojoba and sunflower, you'll feel the hydration on your lips, without the need to reapply every hour. I'm a firm believer that everyone should own a Clarins lippie, just to see what €23 really should buy you when it comes to quality. This seems like the perfect collection to test your toe if you haven't yet. 

9. Charlotte Tilbury Colour Chameleon: Bronzed Garnet - Colour Morphing Eye Shadow Pencil: €25 Here

We finish up with another Charlotte Tilbury product, the Colour Chameleon in Bronzed Garnet. I can't tell you how thrilled I was to receive this, I mean the swatch had me drooling for dayyyz. I love the idea of shadow sticks, the notion that one swipe and 30 seconds later you're out the door with multi faceted lids makes me very giddy indeed. You can imagine then the sadsies when Bronzed Garnet just didn't work for me as a shadow in that way. 

I don't have particularly greasy lids, in fact it's a rarity that I ever use lid primer, unless I'm looking to change a shadows depth or spend a night on the tiles but Bronzed Garnet just refused to stay put on its own. When used over primer I had better luck but, to me, using this as a base for the shadow palettes is where this stick comes into its own. 

The multi dimensional look I can achieve with this as a base for Golden Goddess had me double taking at myself! All that and this kicks actual ass as a liner, think Smashbox Shadow Liner level awesomeness and you're about right. I am bereft that Bronzed Garnet wasn't what I expected but given its deft at other uses, I'll definitely be picking up a shade or two more. 


Tell us, have you tried any of these products? Agree? Disagree? Wanna hear more? 

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!

October Favourites ft Essie, L'Occitane, Sally Hansen, Max Factor, Gorjuss, Benefit, Imperial Leather, Soap & Glory, Real Techniques & Laura Ashley

What better way to realise it's November than for someone to turn off the heating, eh? It's blahhdy briste out there but a couple of my October favourites have been absolute saviours in the changing weather. Read all about it: 

NOTD: Banana Sunday with Sally Hansen, Essie & Inglot

It's been a while since I've posted a Nail of the Day so thought I'd share this simple look today. Bright and sunny and more than a little inspired by my bargainous Lidl roses, this mani is stoopidly simple but I've had so many compliments it's silly. 

Essie's Sunday Funday is a bright coral from my favourite of this Summers collections and Go Bananas is Sally Hansens pastel lemon from the gorgeous limited edition Exotica range.  Both topped with Inglot's stunning Holo glitter: 201. 

Of course these colours would make a stunning sponged ombre mani too but, when in a rush, any creme bright will complement creme pastels and give you a lovely effect. Go forth and  mix/match from your stash, yo!

What's on your nails today then? 

Essie Summer 2013 Collection: Quick Look with Swatches

There was an audible 'Squeee' when this package of beauty dropped on my desk yesterday, you see the only thing that makes me happier than nail polish is SUMMER nail polish and boy have Essie outdone themselves with the Summer 2013 Collection. 

Usually when we're talking about collections the expectation is that there'll be one or even worse two write offs in the bunch. Well having spent the guts of two hours swatching and changing these polishes last night I can tell you that there's not a dud in the bunch!

The recurring theme through this six strong offering from Essie is silver micro shimmer with all but The More The Merrier (that mouth watering lime creme up there) boasting the light catching particles. 

Fear not though, we're not talking 80s revival shimmer, it's subtle enough that it works only to bring the polishes to life in the sun shine. We like this. We like it a lot. 

Best Foot Forward with a Naughty Nautical/The Girls Are Out alternative French Pedi
(That's the stunning Electric Indigo Yoko Fitflop!)

It's safe to say I'm loving this entire collection, there's something in there for you no matter your taste in polishes. You can't get better for the glorious Leaving Cert weather we're having right now in Dublin. 

You'll find Essie in selected irish pharmacies from July priced at €9.99.

Tell me? You like? 

How to Prolong a Salon Manicure in Two Simple Steps

I'm a fickle mare when it comes to nail polish, often changing four to five times a week if not more so a trip to the salon to have a professional job done is a real, if rare, treat for me. A couple of weeks back I was delighted to be invited along to the launch of Rimmel's Salon Pro line in Dublin's funkiest new nail salon Tropical Popical with the promise of an expert nail job so naturally I leapt at the chance. 

Thing is, I'm pretty hard on my nails with work, housework, martyrdom and what not so my manicure was showing signs of surrender within 3 days -  I knew I'd have to act. That's where these two simple steps come in: 

Seche Vite & Essie's Leading Lady

All you need to revive your salon manicure is a glitter polish in a complementary shade to the one you're sporting (or a universally pleasing silver/gold) and a high shine top coat. It's fail safe Seche Vite for me, all day, every day though the likes of Essence and NYC have great alternatives too.  

First up, apply your glitter polish to your tips to conceal any tipwear and/or chips. You can do this freehand or if you're not too steady of claw use the tape method I showed you here. 

Step two: Apply your high shine top coat liberally to seal the deal and watch your salon manicure come back to life like Jebus himself on chocolate egg Sunday. 

It really is that simple. You can expect to get at least another week from your expertly applied polish and no one will be any the wiser. Totes Profesh, wha? 

Essie Good to Go: Fast Drying Top Coat

You'll see from my Pro Beauty haul pic in this morning's post that one of the goodies I picked up was Essie's Good to Go fast drying top coat. Yep, you'll also see I picked up four Seche Vite but that's my HG top coat and it was half price = no brainer. 

I had a chuckle with Karen when I read the 'the fastest drying top coat' tagline, even going so far as goad the bottle with a 'I'll be the judge of that, thankyouverymuch'. So a couple of uses later, how does it fare? 

As you can see from the pic, my first difficulty with Good to Go was that when applied to wet polish, it transfers your polish to the brush. It's a huge annoyance as in order not to destroy both your brush and your pristine bottle of top coat, you'd have to wait until your polish was dry to apply. Kind of defeats the purpose of a fast drying polish, non?

Secondly, I know I'm spoiled with the 60 second, high shine drying powers of Seche Vite but when a product claims to be 'the fastest drying top coat' it's not unreasonable for me to expect that it would at least match that speed, right? Apparently not. 

Having painted both hands, given them a flap and waited a mo, I touched my first thumb and completely smudged my paint job. I'm talking about ninety seconds plus here. Rage. All in all it took about two - three minutes to be touch dry. Relatively speaking, that ain't 'fast', Hombre. In fact...

While the finish, when it does dry, is beautifully shiny, unfortunately, Essie, you're not quick enough for my impatient ways. As a standard top coat it's lovely, just not the one you want to grab when you're in a hurry is all. 

Have you tried this top coat before? Did you fare any better? 

Gold Finger - 3 Gorgeous Gold Polishes

I've seen several tweets over the past week or so looking for gold polish recommendations so I thought I'd show you three of my favourites. Sally Hansen's Gilty Pleasure, Models Own Gold Rush and Essie's Good as Gold. These are, by no stretch of the imagination, the only golds in my collection but they are the ones I reach for most often, so let's have a little look, shall we?

Sally Hansen's Gilty Pleasure (€8.50) is part of the seriously fabulous Complete Manicure range, meaning you need no base or top coat. It's a subtle champagne gold with just a hint of sparkle. It's buildable to a deeper gilt colour but this is how I wear it, two coats and out the door. Flattering and oh so easy to wear.

Models Own (€6 in Republic) is the blingingest in your faciest gold that I have in my possession (so far). This is perfect for bright night out nails or stunning in the sunshine on holidaying tootsies. You can be guaranteed that Gold Rush will get your nails noticed.

Essie's new Mirror Metallics range (€12.99) boasts 5 new silver based metal look polishes. With my love of TopShop bling though, I couldn't justify hoovering up the lot. At €12.99, they're pricey but I couldn't pass Good as Gold. It reminds me a lot of Barry M's 320 Foil but without the gold Tippex finish. This is a beautiful choice for a Wedding nail, be you the Bride or the tipsy guest.

Any of these polishes would suit the Bronze Goddess manicure perfectly, my go to manicure when I'm in a rush (a gold rush)(ho, ho, ho).

Do you have a grá for the goldiness? Got any recommendations for others that I might try?