Smashbox Fireball Matte Be Legendary Lipstick! (& a wee Smashboxpark plug!)

If you were following me ANYWHERE on social media this past weekend you'll know that I spent the most incredible two days with Smashbox in London, checking out their pop up shop, Smashboxpark in Boxpark, Shoreditch. A definite highlight of that entire trip has to have been discovering one of their newest Be Legendary lipsticks in Fireball Matte. 

The most stunning fiery orange/red, National Makeup Coach for Smashbox (& all 'round good egg) Janine Bird admits to shedding a little tear at its sheer perfection: 

This ultra luxe formulation glides on and settles to a silky matte finish. It boasts Vitamin C, E and shea butter for a nourishing, non drying long lasting lipstick like nothing else I've tried. And boy does it last, check out Smashbox MUA Carolina Bicudo's (pictured) after shower shot!

Smashbox Fireball Matte - REFUSES to budge!

Twice now I've sported this stunning shade and it's true what they say about people treating you differently when you're wearing a strong lip. There's an undeniable confidence in powerful colours such as Fireball, even more so when you can be confident that, once applied, it's not going anywhere. 

Janine recommends taking your time with Fireball application for maximum longevity

Apply over your favourite red lip liner for application perfection, or, as Janine suggested, over Fuchsia to bring a whole new dimension to this show stopping shade. 

Heather Jackson: Smashbox's Artistry & Education Coach ROCKING Fireball Matte

What make we of Fireball? Will you dare to wear? It joins the Be Legendary lip lineup this month at €21. Available from Smashbox counters nationwide & online from Boots & Arnott's. 

Should you be in the vicinity of Shoreditch though, do be sure to drop by Boxpark before they close in mid June. The Smashboxpark pop up is about as perfect a brand fit as I've seen in a very long while! You can even grab an aprés makeover selfie in some of the most amazing lighting available, as evidenced by Youtube beauty pal Melanie Murphy below: 

Melanie Murphy Perfecting Her Selfie Game at Smashboxpark, Shoreditch!

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo ~ Dry Shampoo Fiends & Festival Goers Rejoice!

Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo: £6.99 Here

If you know anything about me you'll know I'm no muss, no fuss when it comes to my grúaig. Dry shampoo, therefore is the one product you'll find in abundance about my person at any given time. The thing about dry shampoo, however, is that it can be serious trial and error to avoid a powdery 17th century peruke atop your head. Cue Zerreau Towel Off Foam Shampoo. It's a dry/foam shampoo hybrid & I'm loving it!

My first introduction to this tress game changer was as a deluxe sample in this months Glossybox. One of the stellar selling points of subscription boxes such as these is the discovery of products that might never normally cross your radar. I've since found that you can buy full sizes in Superdrug but if the reaction to my Instagram & FB posts are anything to go by it'll fly off the shelves. 

I've just recently given my hair the chop and am sporting a layered lob so just 5 pumps of this foam, into the roots of my 2 day old barnet was enough. I towel dried roughly & brushed through. It feels like freshly washed hair straight off the bat, but that may be a lot to do with the fresh green apple scent. Because I had a minute I gave my hair a blast of hair dryer heat & followed up with a cold blow through. Gave it a little looksee and... blown away. 

The foam shampoo gives my hair oomph from the roots, so allowed me to forgo other styling products. It doesn't feel powdery in the slightest but does have traction enough so that it stays put when put there. That evening's event saw the most impromptu compliments I've had on my grúaig ever. Naturally I answered everyone in a typically Irish manner 'This old barnet? Foam shampoo!'. 

We've had two dalliances since and both times Zerreau hasn't let me down. It may be a match made in heaven, especially considering the foam claims to be effective enough to remove hair chalk and product build up. I can see a large size being flung in my backpack for this summers festival messing!

Have you tried this Towel Off Foam Shampoo yet? I'd love to hear how you got on?

YSL ~ Volupté Tint-in-Oil ~ Peach Me Love (Includes Swatches of Entire Line)

When I first saw lip oils on the German beauty aisles last year my mind raced wild. Having rustled the beauty grapevine, I learned that they were the new biggest thing and that they'd be making their way to main stream in 2015. While Clarin's were first off the bat with their Extra Comfort version, this YSL Volupté Tint-in-Oil is everything I initially hoped lip oils would be. And more.

Oils normally repel tints but the juicy pigments are suspended within five nourishing oils to give you the best of both worlds. Apricot kernel oil, macadamia seed oil, coriander fruit oil, jojoba seed oil and passion flower oil give not only a nourishing feeling instantly slicked lip but once the shine abates, lips are left with a surprisingly long lasting tint. 

8 Juicy Shades Boast 5 Nourishing Oils 

Peach Me Love (above) landed on my desk last week and within minutes of swatching I was re reading the press release to check launch dates, full sure in the knowledge I'd be buying at least two more.

Peach Me Love applies as shiny peach, tastes like peach, smells like peach, dries down to long lasting peach, IS A PEACH! I'm hoping my next two are just as mouth watering but this is as instantly as I've fallen in love with a product in a very, very long time. 

On counter though, I can't tell you how I struggled to choose. The oils apply almost completely sheer but once they warm slightly on the skin they begin to transform. Niall on the YSL counter in Blanchardstown's Debenhams (Hi Niall!) was seriously helpful, regaling me with tales of each of the ladies that had fallen in love with each shade before me. 

I settled for 5. Cherry My Chérie (obvs!) and 7. Crush Me Orange and truthfully, I regret nothing. It's a very rare occasion for me to dash out and buy following a press drop and it never EVER happens with products of this price. You got me, YSL, you got me good. 

No filter swatches after approx 1 minute. Those tints stayed in place for a good 40 mins,
even after I'd wiped away the gloss. 

While the Clarins Lip Oil, mentioned here, is more of a oil based gloss with a soft tint that lasts only briefly on the lips, YSL Tint-in-oil feels more like a balm/gloss hybrid. There is zero gloop, zero transfer and zero reasons for you not to get to counter and check these out as soon as you possibly can!

Hype? Moi? 

New Clinique Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer in One!

I'm all for cutting a minute or twenty off my morning routine, more so when that routine is done in the office loos just to eek out as many precious zeds of a morning as I can. As soon as I laid eyes on Clinique's upcoming Beyond Perfecting Foundation & Concealer in One before the Christmas break, I knew it, I and my snooze button would get on very well indeed. 

There's 21  shades incoming with one of the lightest feeling full coverage formulations I've used to date. Aimed at the over 30 lady with a tendency toward oiliness, I've found it's worked a boon on my normal 30ish skin this past several months. 

Just one large doe foot of product is enough to do your entire fizzog. I know, I was doubtful too when makeup artist Florrie White gave me the lo-down but she is entirely right. The formulation feels dry on application but blends in nicely and is buildable as and where needed. Despite initial Saharan worries, I found it felt hydrating during its 12 hour wear time. Full comfortable coverage with very little product so that it never feels 'masky', that's a feat in itself but Clinique have pulled it off. 

Less than half a buidéal left - that's good going!

I've been so impressed with this double duty formulation that even when trialling other bases I've been reaching for Beyond Perfection as my concealer of choice. Now that's unheard of for me. I find the consistency ideal for my under eye area with enough slick so that it never creases or dries into fine lines. That's a sure fire sign of a product I'm loving, when I'm reaching for it unbeknownst to myself. 

Clinique Beyond Perfection Foundation & Concealer in One hits counters on February 6th and might just be the answer to many a busy woman's prayers. 

What say we? Will we be giving it a looksee when it drops? 

Clarins Garden Escape - First Look at the Spring 2015 Collection with Swatches!

We may only be a couple of days into the new year but my yearning to shake off the drama of winter beauty and embrace lighter, brighter spring time colours is real. Handy then that Clarins have light and bright down with their upcoming collection, Garden Escape. 

The focus is firmly on pastel shades, with the colour influence taken directly from the spring floral canvas, as the name might suggest. The packaging is second to none, which we've come to expect with the high end brand, with weighty golden palettes that feel like luxury before you ever pop the lid. Let's take a closer look, shall we? 

New Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils - Swatches & Review!

Boy oh boy do I love a good lippie, you know what I love even more though? A good lippie that dupes a high end lippie more than 3 times its price. Watch your house, Nars Lip Pencils, Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils are coming up behind you fast & furious. 

These pigment loaded pencils are impressive at first glance but even more so once applied. I'm a huge fan of the pencil design, especially when it comes to brights such as these as you really can't go wrong when lining your lips. And the cack handed crowd go wild - YAAAAY. 

The intense colours might seem a little daunting to those more used to a muted lip shade but the semi-matte finish make the lighter of the shades day time friendly and the more daring ideal for a night tripping the light fandango. 

As you can see, each shade saturates the lip in intense colour, while keeping the soft shine needed to make it comfortable on the lips. For wear time we're talking a good two hours before reapplication is needed to bring Velvet Pencils back to their initial intensity. 

On the bright side, the stain fades evenly and can be topped up with balm should you want a more muted look as the day goes on. Truthfully though? Chuck that handy dandy peann luaidhe in your mála and slick it on as needed.  

We're getting 10 of the 22 shades available Stateside and for just €6.79 a pop and I can tell you right now that these will fly off the shelves with ease. Maybelline  Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencils are available from this month. I'd hugely appreciate if you could shout out as and when you spot 'em as I'll be stocking up too. 

What say we? Are you a Nars Lip Pencil fan? Reckon these could topple them?

New Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balms - Swatched

Let me count the ways I love thee, oversized Crayola style make up products. Let me count the ways and never stop counting. Pioneers of crayon style beauty, Clinique are back with Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balms and you want to see them. You do. 

This is the second time this year that Clinique have knocked it out of the park when it comes to flattering cheek colours. The first being some of the prettiest blushes ever released, the Cheek Pops reviewed here. The formulation of the Chubby Sticks for Cheeks, however, is more a cream balm than the sheer powder offering of the Pops. 

This #nofilter shot is all four Chubby additions swatched, not too gently, to show their true colours, Cyndi Lauper style. Just one swish of each, however, will result in a much lighter, more natural colour payoff. As you can see, they're buildable. 

These Chubby Stick Cheek Balms (I type that and say Chubby Cheeks)( Every.Time) are more robust than your average Chubby Stick and that makes application child's play. Simply apply straight to the apples of the cheeks and buff in with your brush of choice or blend in with your fingers., building to the colour intensity desired. Zero shimmer but all of the oil free sheen makes these colours flattering on most every skin tone. 

While the heat we've been enjoying of late has meant that I have had to set Plumped Up Peony here for all day longevity, that hasn't been an issue as I'm still using Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Powder daily. I have been making a conscious effort to pare back on makeup products during the summer months and these handy dandy sticks fit right in with those efforts. Bloody marvellous for chucking in your mála too to brighten cheeks AND lips on the move. 

Available on Clinique counters now, priced €24, the Chubby Cheeks Stick Cheek Balms are well worth a swatch. 

New Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara - Review & Pics

When it comes to mascaras my numbers are many. When it comes to mascaras that actually do what they say on they do on the tube, those numbers dwindle significantly. I was thrilled to get the chance to meet with Clinique at a recent Dublin stopover to see what the brand had in store for summer 2014. One of those things was Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara - you'll be delighted to hear that it passes the 'truthful tube' test with flying colours. 

Designed to stand up to the humidity in Asian climates (we should be so lucky), Lash Power Feathering Mascara is waterproof (tick), sweat proof (double tick) and tear proof (ALL of the ticks after watching Eastenders last night whilst hungry, hormonal & dog tired). 

Clinique Lash Power Feathering Mascara: €23 in BTs exclusively now & Nationwide April 25th

Lash Power Feathering Mascara is not one I'd automatically reach for were I hoping for tons of volume or for say, a night on the tiles when MOAR is more. It's more subtle than that. The small wand and brush are easily manageable to get right into the smallest of lashes and the wet, almost tacky formulation works a treat as it grabs every lash root to tip and coats them evenly. 

As buildable a mascara as you're likely to try, each coat dries quickly and allows you to add another and another to layer up to your desired eye look in no time at all. I expected clumps, they didn't appear. I expected my lashes to feel weighed down with product but again, nope. Feathery soft with a natural fuller lash look and zero fallout after a 10 hour day. We like this stuff. We like it a lot. 

Aside from the mascara mojo Lash Power offers through the day, there's another reason I'm impressed. I was dubious to say the least about instructions of removing this 10 hour strong formula with just warm water on a cotton pad (They're Real removal struggles, anyone?) but believe it or not it works. 

I've been using and loving Ren's Hot Cloth Cleanser  and only using a separate cleanser to remove my mascara, with this little pocket rocket, I don't need to do that. One gentle wipe on each eye of the rinsed out hot cloth and I'm baldy eyed again. Impressive stuff. 

We're not talking false lash effect with this mascara by any stretch of the imagination but for a wearable, flattering day time look that lasts and for genuine ease of removal, Clinique's Lash Power Feathering Mascara is a cracker. If you're looking for something to pop in your holiday bag or for natural, smudge free lashes for your work outs. Look no further. 

What think we? Are we a fan of the feathered look? 

L'Occitane NÉROLI & ORCHIDÉE Joins Collection de Grasse Fragrances Just in Time for Momma's Day!

My first foray into Collection de Grasse from L'Occitane came just before Christmas last year in the shape of FLEUR D'OR & ACACIA and CÈDRE & ORANGER in this post. Now to celebrate the first anniversary of the Collection and just in time for Mother's Day the brand have collaborated again with their own Perfumer, Karine Dubreuil (FROM Grasse in Provence no less!) are introducing a new addition NÉROLI & ORCHIDÉE. 

When we're talking about this specially blended scent, we're talking fruity and floral (as the name implies) with Mediterranean Neroli  & Madagascan white orchid absolute but there's a body to it brought by the orange blossom that lends depth to the fragrance and might take some by surprise. It did me. 

Not one normally for floral fragrances, I found myself opening Néroli & Orchidée again and again, intrigued by the sensuality of the fragrance and the way it developed on my skin, Estée's Sensuous is my signature scent so I'm more of a musky, husky (not in girth), nails down your back kinda girl when it comes to fragrance but this really surprised me... until I read the actual ingredients:  

• TOP NOTES - orange, mandarin, 
• HEART NOTES - neroli, peach & fig milk and 
• BASE NOTES - orchid, musk & iris

The entire collection is set to launch March 3rd in stores and online and will include the brand new intriguing product, L'Occitane Fragrance Beautifying Cream (€30.50), that I spoke about on Instagram yesterday . 

Prices start at just €8 for the soap and work their way up to €57 for the EDT (that candle for €28 is on my list). For sweet/floral lovers Néroli & Ochidée is a no brainer but I'm going to recommend you don't write this one off as a floral or a fruity number before you actually try it. It has so much more to offer the mavens of the muskier scents too. 
What do we think? Interest piqued? Momma's Day sorted? 

L'Oreal Nude Magique BB Powder & BB Concealer

The L'Oréal Nude Magique range has been a little hit and miss for me. While the BB Blush, with its likeness to Smashbox's O blush was perfectly serviceable, the CC Creams were far too highly pigmented in the orange direction. The Eau de Teint foundation (AKA the closest dupe you'll ever find to Armani's Maestro) however blew my socks off and still does. The next two additions to the line up are the 5 in 1 Nude Magique BB Powder and the Nude Magique BB Concealer. 

Firstly the BB Powder housed in a sturdy little throw in your mála style compact is surprisingly light to the touch. The hidden sponge and mirror underneath adds a little wieght but makes it ideal for travel. I had concerns about there only being two colours available and had I skin on either end of the tone spectrum I still would be. 

Light Skin Tone suits me perfectly though and the buildable, lightweight coverage can easily just be applied to the areas needed. I've worn this both over my own BB cream (Origins) to eliminate shine but also on its own and I'm pretty darn impressed. The matte texture is not averse to several layers and does appear to minimise pores so a couple of swipes of this and your no make up make up look is good to go. L'Oréal are claiming 8 hours wear but I haven't fully tested that yet. 

With their first roll on applicator the Nude Magique BB Concealer gave me flashbacks to the CC cream grimace with its slightly orange tinged formulation. I was full sure that this one wouldn't be for me as I'm all for lighter than light under eye concealers. Containing mineral pigments, I was pretty taken aback when applied under my eyes that it blended in beautifully and matched my skin tone regardless. 

The metal ball means it's cooling on the eye area so will combat puffiness but for the size of my under eye suitcases I'll be using this as a top up over my own concealer (Estée Lauder's Double Wear) to add some cooling brightness.  

The RRP on these are €9.99 & €12.99 respectively but you'll pick them up for a decent amount of sheckles cheaper on Superdrug here. 

Wet n Wild in Ireland - A Closer Look at What's What

If you go down to your Dunnes today

You're sure of a big surprise.

If you go down to your Dunnes today

Your purse better go in disguise!

For every girl that ever there was

Will gather there for certain because,

today's the day that

Wet n Wild launch their maaaaake - up!

You'll have heard rumblings over the past couple of days, then seen Instagrams trickle through and even ALL CAPS TWEETS exclaiming that budget beauty giant Wet n Wild have landed on our shores and arrived with little or no fanfare into local Dunnes Stores' everywhere. 

Since learning of their arrival this week I quickly learned that there is to be a national launch at the hands of one of our favourite PR companies (WHO WILL ALSO BE BRINGING NYX - ARRGGHH). I'll be popping along to the launch so will be sure to take lots of behind the scenes snaps but for now, snaps of the products as they stand will whet your appetite just enough. 

Ready? 

Mega Rocks: €3.99, Megalast: €2.99 & FastDry: €2.99

As of now I've only sampled the Megalast in I Need a Refresh-Mint and you can see the results of that here on my Instagram feed. The pro brush is short, wide and applies the formulation beautifully. I'll 100% have more in-depth reviews coming up.

Mascaras (various) €5.49, Color Icon Palettes €5.49, Color Icon Shadow Collections €6.49, Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios €4.49, Eyeshadow Singles & Glitter Singles €1.99, Lip Liner €1.99, Brow Liner €1.99 & Idol Eyes Creme Shadow €2.99

Again I have swatched the majority of these in store and been very impressed overall. You can see up close swatches of the Comfort Zone palette here but I will continue to add good quality swatches as & when I have them. 

Mega Slick Balm Stains (Crayons) €3.99, Megalast Lip Color €2.99, Lip Gel €2.99, Lip Balm €4.49, Lip Gloss €2.99, Liquid Lip Color €4.69 & Silk Finish Lipstick €1.99

H20 Proof Liquid Eyeliner €3.99, Mega Eyes Defining Marker €4.49, Megaliner Liquid Liner €2.99, Cover All Concealer Palettes €4.49, Mega Glo Illuminators €4.49, Color Icon Blushers €4.49, Brow Kit €3.99, Cover All Cream Foundation €4.49, Liquid Concealer Wand €3.49, Cover Stick €2.99, Cover All Pressed Powders €3.99 & Bronzers €4.99

Pheweee! As I say, once I have decent swatches available I'll have them on my Instagram (you really should follow that, there's bonus kitteh & Rottie pics) but also here in more detailed posts. 

Just thought I'd give you a quick glance at what everyone else is seeing on stands as of this week and a better idea of price points. Overall, I'm very, very impressed - as with every brand there are standouts and there are some you can skip over happily - I'll be letting you know which is which ASAP. 

First impressions? 

Giorgio Armani's Nail Lacquer with Swatches

I'm more than a little discerning when it comes to nail polishes. That doesn't mean I opt for brands over budget nor cost over quality. I'm all about great colours, well designed brushes, quick drying and high shine finish. It's really no surprise that Armani has ticked all of those boxes and more with their new Nail Lacquer line though is it? 

Available in 18 colours, 6 in each of the three colour trends: Aqua, Reds and Beiges, there's bound to be something here to please just about every nail tip this autumn/winter and beyond. 

All 18 lacquers lined up at the Armani Launch (More on the Rouge Ecstasy lippies pictured SOON)

The lighter shades of Armani's nail lacquers give a completely opaque finish in just one coat, thanks to the wide, short brush that manages to coat the entire nail in just one swipe, but the darker variants definitely need two, such as Night Viper (below) the deepest, most flattering, autumn appropriate, oxblood colour I've used. 

While the high shine finish is a beautiful touch with this formulation and means you can skip the top coat, be sure to use a base coat to prevent staining of your nails. Inspired by car lacquer, apparently, the polish formulation dries quickly from liquid to high shine gel. This innovation is credited too with the long wear promise. I managed three days so far without chips - kind of unheard of sans Seche Vite. 

And finally, these colours complement each other beautifully so lend themselves very well to autumnal nail art. This tweed offering shall be posted later this week and couldn't be simpler to do. 

Armani Nail Lacquers launch exclusively in Brown Thomas Dublin and Cork from October 15th at €24 a piece.