Cherry Pick of the Week: Le Galaxie ~ Love System

Long before Drive or Stranger Things brought that 80s synth/sax sound back into our lives (or into some of our lives for the first time *weeps*) Le Galaxie were representing in 2012. 

You might recognise Love System from the current Virgin Media ad with the incredibly unprofessional DJ doing a bunk mid tune - you might even love it as much as I do!

Tell us, what's been on repeat in your life this week? 

Cherry Pick of the Week: Kung vs Cookin' on 3 Burners ~ This Girl

Oh it's been a while since we've had a Cherry Pick of the Week for sure but I couldn't NOT feature this Summer banger. 

I first heard it in Galway with Corrina and kept repeating the trumpet solo so I'd remember it. One of those tunes that instantly catches your attention, I can't get enough of it now I've found it. It's since become a regular on the playlist that pushes me through 5K a day with ease. Absolute choon. 

Tell me, what's been playing on repeat in your noggin' this week? I'm always looking for new additions for the list!

As an aside, 
would you like to see 
Cherry Pick of the Week return? 
The series wasn't getting much traction
stat wise but I've had a couple of messages 
to ask where it was so lemme know!

Cherry Pick of the Week: Twenty One Pilots ~ Stressed Out

It's been a while since we've popped up on a Sunday with a Pick of the Week, right? But this tune WILL NOT LEAVE MY NOGGIN!

I'm thanking the 'Discover' option on Spotify, that and a concerted effort to listen to more music when I'm out & about. Truly, the biggest loss in not driving is the loss of caraoke . 

Twenty One Pilots though, they're a little bit sound, aren't they?

Tell us, what's been playing on repeat in your world this week?

Cherry Pick of the Week: The Weeknd ~ Can't Feel My Face

Questionable pineapple hair aside I AM LOVING The Weeknd!

Definitely reminiscent of an early Michael Jackson to me, this song has embarrassed me precisely 4 times this week because I just can't help shoulder dancing to it when out walking. It's a sight to behold...

Tell us, are you loving Can't Feel My Face? 

What tune is on repeat in your world this week? 

Cherry Pick of the Week: Little Mix ~ Black Magic!

And the top prize for catchiest pop song of the summer so far goes to..... LIDL MIX!!!

Can't get enough of Black Magic for upping my pace walking this week. Hon the girls!!

Are you loving it too? 

Tell me, what's been playing on repeat in your world this week? 

Cherry Pick of the Week: Robin Shulz ft Jasmine Thompson ~ As the Sun Goes Down!

There's nothing like that sunshine to lift everyone's mood. We're a deadly little country as it is but there's something about basking it in sunshine to bring out the best in people.

This weeks Pick is another that's joining my summer playlist, you only have to raise your face to the sun, while listening to it and you could be anywhere in the world. Well played, Robin!

Tell us, what are you loving this week? We're always on the lookout for feel good tunes...

Cherry Pick of the Week: Kygo ~ Firestone ft Conrad Sewell

Isn't it just as well that the Leaving Cert starts this week because Firestone is a song that needs the feeling of sun on your skin for maximum enjoyment. We all know the state exams bring guaranteed scorchers, right?

I'm adding this to my Summer Spotify playlist because A) it's a joy & B) I still haven't been able to cancel the shagging thing!

What tunes are you loving as the summer months approach - I'd love to know!

Dupe Alert: MAC Superb Given a Run for it's Shimmery Money with TopShop's Horizon Highlight!

If there's one thing I like more than a good highlighter it's a blahhdy good dupe for a higher end highlighter and TopShops Horzon is exactly that. I heard whisper that it was a MAC Soft and Gentle pretender, a brightening skin finishing highlight, the yen for which I've never given in to. On closer inspection though, it's not. On further inspection and on the much brighter side, it's a very close match to MAC stunner and one of my all time favourite highlighters, Superb. You can read my full post on that HERE. 

TopShop Horizon: £10 HERE

Swatched lightly this warm toned highlight adds bronzed luminosity to paler skin but the darker toned lovelies among us, or even those with an already bronzed visage will apply liberally and LOVE it. While in the pan it's not a direct dupe for the MAC fave, Superb, once this richly pigmented highlight is applied the magic happens. 

If you're bemoaning missing out on Superb or even Estée Lauder's predecessor in the Illuminating Gelee then you need to get yourself on the hunt for this bargainous highlighting beauty.  

Speaking of on the hunt, I do have to mention, as is my wont, that I've had a love/hate relationship with TopShops makeup for the longest time. I love almost everything that I've gotten my mitts on, as this quick Google search will show you but it's the inflated price for limited stock here in Ireland that rustles my jimmies on the regular. 

Why? Why when we live just 40 minutes away do you have to do us like this, TopShop? I wouldn't mind if their products were mediocre but Horizon here proves, once more, that they're not. They're really very good and that's a shame because they are missing out on an entire untapped market of beauty lovers in our little Republic. 

Tell us, will you be hunting down this highlight? Do you think I'm being unfair on TopShop and, most importantly, do you know of a well stocked shop in the good ol' ROI? Spill!

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? 

Bourjois Summer 2014 - New Sunshiney Shades

When it comes to 'ahead of the curve' beauty and up to the minute products at affordable prices, French brand, Bourjois have it down. Each launch brings something that instantly enters my makeup rotation and often they don't ever leave until discontinued. Summer 2014 is no different, Bourjois have extended their shade range in several top offerings to add a little sunshine to our stash and they've done very, very well indeed. 

Bourjois Cream Blush: Sun 05 - €10.49 Here

If you're a cream blush lover yet haven't tried these little award winning pots of awesome then you, my friend, are missing out. Foolproof for even the most cack handed among us, this silky soft formulation can be applied with either stippling brush or fingers and built up to the colour desired. 

Pink Sunwear is one of the two summer shades, this corally microshimmer blush leans bronze on the skin and instantly gives a fresh faced glow. Can't. Get. Enough. 

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Grand-Cru & Nude-ist - €12.49 Here

The beauty world has been ablaze with the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet matte lip colours. Intensely pigmented and extremely long lasting, my aim in life (one of 'em) is to own every single shade of these Velvets I can. 

Grand-Cru is a dark burgundy/red and once blended in with my finger is as wearable a statement lip as I'm likely to brave. Nude-ist on the other hand, once applied directly elicited a Churchill 'Ooooh Yess' from me - I'm a big fan of muted lippies you see. Nude-ist and I are going to be firm friends for a long time to come. 

Bourjois Dynamint & Gold Shine €6.99 & €8.99

This release brings 5 new Waterproof liners with matte, glitter or pearlescent effects. Dynamint here is a fresh matte mint that glides on effortlessly and stays put. Perfect for festival or summer holiday make-up. 

Gold Shine is a stunning meltallic felt tipped liner that applies with absolute precision. It can be worn as either liner or all over the lid for a gorgeous metallic shadow look and just like Dynamint, once dry, it's not going anywhere. If you pick up just one summer Bourjois offering, make it this!

3D Lipgloss in Or Feeric - €10.49 Here

Gloss lovers will know Bourjois' 3D lipglosses of old. Or Feeric is a thick, clear gloss with lashings of gold microshimmer thoughout. Applied to bare lips, it gives a volumising effect. Used on the centre of the lips it can make lips seem more plumped or worn over your favourite lip shade, it add hours of gloop free shine. As glosses go, it's gorgeous. 


Now not to enable anyone, that doesn't need enabling, the entire Bourjois Summer range is available now on 3 for 2 from Boots. Not only that, if you are tempted to buy 3 products you'll also get their gift with purchase: 

Not bad, huh? 

Tell me, anything here tickle your summer pickle? 

WIN - L'Occitane Jenipapo World Cup Summer Sets!

I can't be the only one that's managed to avoid seeing a minute of the World Cup already, can I? My only interaction with the snorefest that is a month of soccer so far has been rolling my eyes at tweets arguing for and against the obsession. 

Luckily L'Occitane have stepped up to give us a little silver lining of escapism in the form of their stunning Made in Brazil Jenipapo range. You'll remember I fell entirely in love with it on our recent hollier. Well now three of you lucky ducks will get to kick off the summer in style with a Jenipapo Summer Set for yourselves. Neat, huh? 

All you got to do is follow the simple 'gimme a click' section below. I guarantee once you flip the cap on this scent you'll be hearing samba drums and searching for your sequinned feather bra to shake your own maracas. (Don't think I don't know) 

Good Luck, everyone!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Urban Decay Electric Palette - First Look with Swatches

The beauty world is one again a tizzy and once again, Urban Decay are the source of all the chatter. The new Electric Palette is as far from the Naked collection as one could possibly get and I'm about to show you why. I was thrilled to be one of the first to be sent this riot of colour before its release on April 1st and in the name of transparency, there's not a single filter on the following pics. 

Shade Up!

When the first pictures of Electric leaked several weeks ago there were cries of 'Sleek Ultra Matte' and, to be fair, on initial inspection of press pics, the palettes are similar. See Sleek here. It's not until you crack open the lid of this eye-wideningly bright offering that you see just how different they are. Ready for some swatches? 

One touch - ONE

& Again ONE TOUCH

The pigmentation of these colours is genuinely like nothing I've seen before. You know I'll wax lyrical about buttery UD formulas and yammer on about pigmentation but we were talking about taupe - THIS is a rainbow!

Top row: 

Revolt: A densely packed, high shine silver. Soft to the touch but Tin Man, show stopping silver metallic. 

Gonzo: Again soft but high octane, electric blue with a bajillion silver/blue mocro glitter particles - do NOT expect to wash this puppy off with just one swish. 

Slowburn: Drier to the touch but no less pigmented, Ai Chi Wah Wah orange with silver microglitter. 

Savage: Dry, almost chalk formulation but the matte hot neon pink is a beaut on the skin. Again, this won't go without some serious scrubbage - Brilliant news for editorial and digital MUA work. 

Fringe: Stunningly bright metallic teal that's buttery soft to the touch. This is on my eyeballs as you read this, I guarantee it. Can see it being a liner staple for Summer months. 

Bottom Row: 

Chaos: Deep Royal Blue with silver microglitter. These bright blues always remind me of holidays, Chaos will we a liner of choice too. 

Jilted: Perhaps my favourite of the palette, Jilted is a radiant orchid (HELLO, Pantone 2014) with a blue duochrome finish. Crushed velvet soft and second take, stunning on the skin, I can see myself using this as a lip tint over Cicaplast balm and as a flush of blush in the hotter months. 

Urban: Satin finish metallic purple, possibly the most wearable for everyday looks after Fringe. Urban will turn heads as a purple smokey eye. 

Freak: Metallic pale lime green, this is high sheen and would make a beautiful wash of colour for Spring looks. Almost the most tame of the lot, that's saying something for a LIME GREEN. 

Thrash: This chartreuse yellow/green was one of my favourite colours for clothes in 2013. The microglitter in this high shine shadow will make for a bright liner that will bring life to any subtle eye look. 

As well as the sturdy, metallic closing case, the Electric palette gives us the perfect double ended brush for laying these colours onto the skin as that's what you'll need to do. The softer of the shades will blend easily I'd imagine, with the brighter pops needing a little assistance from a neutral shade. 

Bonus Kitteh Helper pic - Look how tiny her pupils are - THAT'S how bright Electric is. 

The thing to remember with this UD offering is that it's not just an eyeshadow palette, the shades are multi functional and designed to be used on the skin as well as the eyelids so have fun with it. I think that's what might endear me to this palette, the reminder that make up is about having fun, dressing up and feeling good about it. 

With Summer festivals being announced left right and centre, my advice is to get thee to a UD counter and swatch this palette like there's no tomorrow once it hits on April 1st for €45, be warned though, bring some wipes as these shades have SERIOUS staying power. 

Will you be dashing out come April 1st? To the comments!

Marc Jacobs Honey: A Must Have Summer Scent

Marc Jacobs has been knocking it out of the park when it comes to seriously pretty, dressing table decoration perfume bottles for years now. Think Daisy, think Lola, think Dot, then forget every one of 'em because Honey is about to blow their cute little lids off with not only stunning packaging but a scent that will have strangers stop you as you pass. 

Truth be told it was the bottle that halted me in my tracks as I hared about my business a couple of weeks back. I've usually found Mr Jacob's scents a little to sweet for my musk loving schnozz but in all honesty, one whiff of this and it was love. 

'Could I BEE any cuter?' 

You know those scents that have you sniffing your arms for hours after you've applied them? Honey is one o' those. It's sunny, it's light and it's bright but it stops short of being sweet: the woody basenotes see to that and it's what makes it a winner for me. 

I'm not a big describer of scents so for those of you in the know, who know what you like and where, Honeys notes break down like this: 

Top: Pear, Juicy Mandarin
Heart: Orange Blossom, Peach, Honeysuckle (my favourite flower of all time)
Base: Honey, Vanilla, Woods

This little bottle has been a huge hit in the office with the girls and it was interesting to see that they each smelled something different from the ingredients. I've been stopped several times, including by the chef in the canteen, to ask what I'm wearing so it would seem Honey sure is a crowd pleaser too. 

If not just for the adorable bottle (which is sat on my PC in work (WHILE I'M THERE) to gaze at) I'd urge you to spritz Marc Jacobs Honey when you're next passing a counter and I defy you not to fall in love. 

Kardashian Beauty: Limited Edition Watercolor Nail Polishes

You'll have seen the newly branded Kardashian Beauty far and wide across the blogosphere this past couple of weeks. It has received mixed reviews ranging from immediate HG status to bloggers that refuse to give the collections a second glance on principle alone. It has to be admitted that my grá for polish far outweighs my apathy for the fame hungry sisters so I was thrilled when Cloud 10 Beauty sent me some of the limited edition Watercolor polishes for a test run. 

First impression? I'm confuddled as to why the collection would be called Watercolor when the colours are anything but watered down or washed out. I've tried 3 of the six shades on offer and each one glided on smoothly, reached opacity in one coat and only needed a second to perfect the polished look. 

There's something here for everyone wanting a summer polish favourite from light pastels to serious brights all creme formulations with a glossy finish. I've gotten 3 days wear, chip free with Race and Float and the shine stayed true for that time. I've since given them a lash of Seche Vite just to brighten them up again, which I can only do with a long lasting polish. 

All six polishes are 4 free (without toluene, formaldehyde, camphor and DBP) so are safe for pregnant ladies and those concerned with the toxins found in nail laquer. You would usually expect to pay a premium for polishes in that category so the €9.95 price tag on the Watercolor collection isn't too shabby at all. 

Watercolor Race (electric red/orange) and Float!

You'll find the entire Kardashian collection on Cloud 10 Beauty, should you be after the Watercolor range though, I'd say hop to it as it's limited edition. As ever, the delivery with Cloud10 is lightening fast so you could realistically have these slick polishes on your talons in a couple of days. 

Keep peelers pelt though as I've something very exciting from Cloud 10 coming up! Eeep!

L'Occitane's Verveine Menthe/Mint Verbena: A Unisex Intensely Refreshing Citrus Saviour in this Muggy Weather

Despite the Armageddon style weather of the past couple of weeks, I've yet to get used to the mugginess that this unprecedented summer weather has brought to our little emerald isle. From first thing in the morning I'm feeling the heat, right through to lunch when my Sweaty Bettyness comes to the fore and on to close of business when my makeup has slipped 3 inches and my hair resembles Monica on holliers, my only saviour has been L'Occitane's Mint Verveine (verbena). 

The 2013 edition of the French brand's summer verbena offerings, this mint had us smitten from first spray. It's citrussy, minty, zesty, verbena(y) and intensely refreshing - almost sparkling in its scent. 

Advertised as a unisex offering, I was interested to get the Gorgebags' take: 

Eldest: 'Has anyone baggsed this yet? It smells like a whoosh of musky mint'
Youngest: 'What mint shower gel?' with the very clear shape of the Mint Verveine up his geansaí!

Summer Mist 100ml - €23.50Fresh Roll-on 10ml - €20Eau de Toilette 50ml - €38

The mint essential oil used in the EDT and encapsulated in the tiny green spheres in the shower gel mean that this scent stays on the skin all day long, that doesn't stop me hopping into the shower as soon as I'm through the door to wash the day off and wake myself up though. 

For the more knowledgeable about stinky stuff among us the notes include green lemon, grapefruit,verbena, spearmint, peppermint, white woods and musk and depending on the time of day you'll smell every one. 

As it stands we've gotten through three quarters of the shower gel and I've caught Aaron twice so far liberally dousing himself in the EDT. Because it's limited edition though I'll definitely be picking up another shower gel and possibly the body lotion to match. How fresh is it? Minty Fresh. 

Are you a verbena fan? Have you tried this mint version yet? 

Cherry Pick of The Week - Gigi D'Agostino - La Passion

This week's pick is a blast from the past, of sizzling in the sunshine and a blast from Friday night out, when I was reminded how much I loved it. The official video is fairly weird but nonetheless this is one of my all time favourite Summer dance songs and is now safely ensconced on my iPod.

Have you a song that reminds you of Summer as soon as you hear the opening notes?