May Favourites ft L'Oreal, Pixy, Real Techniques, Glam Glow, Body Shop, Smashbox, Garnier, Origins & Tinchy Stryder(!) (Pic Heavy)

Can you believe May is over? Nope, me either! Time for a little looksie at what's been making my life easier and stuff I be lovin' this past month. There's some doozies. 

GLOWING BODY BUTTER €12.99

First up, I was convinced that I'd been duped when Pixy's Glowing Body Butter landed on my mat. The whipped light & fluffy mousse of cocoa and shea butters feels like air in the tin and most pleasingly, on the skin. With Coconut, Vitamin E and Sweet Almond oils to sweeten this beaut my skin has never looked brighter. 

Keep an eye out as Pixy's Glowing Body Butter will have pride of place in an upcoming feature where you can have a closer look. 

Origins Plantscription Anti-Aging Cream €62

Boasting brand new Rasberry Plant Stem Cell Technology, Origins Plantscripstions Anti Aging Cream has rocketed to the top of my visage creams of choice this past month. 

The thick and ridiculously moisturising cream plumps my skin more than any other and I detected a noticeable decline in my skins brightness when I forgot this little gem on a weekend away. 

So impressed am I with this new face love that I've featured it in my first beauty column for the Fingal Raven magazine (more deets on that very soon). 

L'Oreal Fresh Dust Dry Shampoo - €11.85

 'Dust, anybody? no? DUST' honestly, Marjorie Dawes goes through my head every single time I pick up L'Oreal's Fresh Dust dry shampoo and that's been hella lot this past month. 

The only dry shampoo to cure my bereavement at not being able to find Batiste's Gold Shimmer ANYWHERE, this version is actually worth the extra sheckles for lack of build up and continual shine (not the greasy kind) when I'm using it. I'll be definitely repurchasing in the next day or so. 

Real Techniques Duo Fiber Face Brush (Set of three €19.99) (or €11.38 from iHerb.com)

I never was a big user of setting or finishing powder, preferring instead to set my visage with a spray of Thermal Spring Water instead. Those times have changed thanks to Real Techniques. 

I'm all about this Duo Fiber Face Brush since purchase last month and the air brushed effect I can achieve with Smashbox's Halo Finishing Powder. 

I'm a complete convert & wouldn't be without it now. 

Smashbox Halo Highlighting Wand €32

I mentioned this pen of wonder in a recent Instagram pic as one of my go to products when I want to look less dead in 5 minutes when I'm flying from work straight into town. 

With a design similar to Touch Éclat but with a wider brush and some form of witchcraft in it's pearlescent pinky highlighting cream, this highlighting wand is certainly aptly named. 

Garnier Perfect Blur €15

I'm all about speed when it comes to make up so when Garnier promised instant results with their 5 Sec Perfect Blur I was all over it, if a little dubious at the same time. 

I needn't have doubted 'em though as Perfect blur does 'sactly what it says on the tube. 

My face appears smoother even without make up on top and this here tube has replaced my beloved Smashbox Photo Finish primer for evening jaunts out. Unheard of!

Body Shop Brazil Nut Dry Oil €15

I can't get enough of this wonderful stuff! Body Shop's newest (returning) dry oil  is brazil nut and I can't describe the vanilla/chocolate/deliciousness of it's scent. It reminds me of warm candy floss without the sickly sweetness. 

I'm using this dry oil on my bod, on my cuticles, to tame flyaway hairs and even to remove makeup in a pinch. It's truly, truly wonderbar! 

Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment €45

I've reviewed this little pot of mucky goodness here  but couldn't let May faves go by without an enormous shout out for Glam Glow Super Mud Clearing Treatment. 

Not only has it vastly improved the brightness & tightness of my visage but as an on the spot treatment it has saved my skin (literally) from 3 mini Mt Vesuvius' already! 

Astonishing stuff. 

Tinchy Stryder in Ear Headphones €49 (on sale for €29 in Curry's) 

Last but by no means least one of my favourite additions to my collection of schtuff this month has to be these weenchy teenchy headphones. 

Noise cancelling and ridiculously comfortable to wear (even for a small lug holed user like me) these in ear headphones are stupidly good for pumping out the choons. 

So much so that I've even done extra laps in the park at lunchtime just to continue to listen. 

Now that's good! 

Wheweeee, that was a long post - tell me, what's been tickling your pickle this past month, eh? 

The José Eber 25mm Curling Wand: Before and After Pics with Video Demo

While trying VERY hard to resist the lure of the Babyliss Perfect Curl as demoed by the hilarious LovelyGirlyBits sisters here  I've been on the search for a cheaper alternative that could turn me into a Curly Sue without emptying my pócas. Cue chance encounter with the José Eber 25mm curling wand this weekend. 

You'll only find José in Arnott's and BTs

The very lovely Lilian, José Ebers shop assistant offered to demonstrate how quickly this curling wand could turn my naturally straight grúaig into a curly wonder (she said 10 minutes max) and the blogger in me leapt at the chance. (Yisser welcome) 

Ehm excuse the spaced out state, ja? 

The Official Low Down on the 25mm Curling Iron:

Ceramic heating elements designed for quick heat recovery without sudden increase of heat

Hair is heated softly and evenly from inside out, safe curling in a fraction of the time

Ceramic technology produces negative ions to seal the cuticles and repel humidity

Provides raw infrared rays for superior protection to hair, reducing frizz and making hair soft, shinny and healthier

Teflon coated, wipe clean aluminium barrel eliminates residue build-up

Teflon also provides a protective barrier between the hair and heated iron, giving more damage control

Hair glides easily over Teflon surface, reducing friction and tangling

I think I was most impressed with how quickly the hair was curled without any product - no muss, no fuss. Lilian gave me the chance to try a couple of curls myself and as a novice (wearing the heat resistant glove), they still only took me 5 seconds each!

Don't believe me? Check out this snippet of Lilian working her magic and featuring MY EYE! 

And the finished result? 

The final result! 

I was absolutely chuffed with the results, my hair had more bounce, more volume and seemed brighter without using any product or holding spray to finish. 

The curls lasted right the way through the evening and I still had a bouncy wave well into the next day AFTER a night on the tiles. 

Trés impressive. 

The José Eber 25mm curling iron retails for €160 but is regularly on special for the price of €100 WITH complimentary gifts. 

Appointments can be made to have your hair done in store before purchase for €25 and can be booked through Arnott's directly on 01 805 0400. 

Are you a fan of the curly look? 

CHANEL LE VERNIS in Azure and Bel-Argus From L’Été Papillon de Chanel Summer 2013 Collection: Swatches, Pictures & Review

I mentioned on Friday the Chanel pop up mani shop that has taken up temporary residence in Arnott's Dublin. Having salivated over the visuals from the L’Été Papillon de Chanel Summer 2013 Collection for the past two weeks I decided we'd have to partake. 

Inspired by the colours of a butterflies wings both Azure (above) and Bel-Argus (below) are nothing short of stunning on the nail. 

Bel-Argus (blue) & Azure (turquoise green)

While stunning in to look at on the nail, it's not until the light hits these polishes that they become truly incredible. Azure is a duo chrome turquoise that shifts to green, purple and gold and Bel -Argus is chock full of royal blue micro glitter once the sun shine hits. 

Do you want the best news of all? I'm now three days into my Bel-Argus mani and there's not one chip. That's outstanding news for Chanel and gives me hope for future colours. 

While hard pressed to decide which polish would be joining my vast collection, I came to the conclusion that Azure was the one for me. Like Peridot before it, it's completely mesmerizing and it'll take quite a while to find anything like it on the high street. 

Azure and Bel-Argus are priced at €22.50 from all Chanel counters for a limited time. If you are close to Dublin though I'd highly recommend paying the gals a visit in Arnott's as your manicure with the Chanel colour of your choice is redeemable against purchase. YAY!


Tell me, are either of these colours calling your name? 

Monday's Moments: 03/06/13

Ah bank holiday Mondays, just about the only Mondays that don't need their blues chasing away - regardless I've compiled some Moments - wanna see 'em? 

1. Hole in ONE!

While on our magical mystery tour (to the Amber Springs in Gorey btw) last week we took some time out to visit the local seaside town of Court Town in the sunshine and ended up in the adventure golf mecca that is Pirate Cove. 

Of course I was winning by a country mile *ahem* but the pinnacle had to be a storming hole in one, I was mid victory moonwalk when himself rocketed his ball in in one go too... HARRUMPH!!

2. Honest Peeps FTW

I have the worst record when it comes to sunnies, either sitting on them, standing on them or losing them pair after pair. That was until my very kindly Sis bought me these stunners as a birthday present 3 years ago. I've minded like a child, until Tuesday. 

While packing up to leave the hotel I realised they were missing and panic struck. Having torn the room and the cases asunder a call to reception was the last resort. 'Why, yes, they were handed in yesterday, we have them here for collection'. THRILLED!

3. Thwarted by Teenagers

The eldest Gorgebag is in the height of Leaving Cert study hell right now so I was happy enough to allow him to blow off some steam and head to a pal's birthday party.. on one condition..

'I'm going to need to speak to the adult at the party please, Aar' - response 'Mam, every one of them is either 18 or 19, they're ALL adults!'. *stunned silence as that realisation sets in* DOGNAMMIT. 

4. Free Gaff

What's better than the Friday before a bank holiday weekend? The ENTIRE office clearing out and leaving me completely alone. That's what's better!

I spent the entire Friday without a sinner at their desks because of a colleague's mother's funeral. 'Absolutely I'll mind the office, pass on my regards' *commences twirling through the aisles* 

5. Beers for Browsing

The Sis and I had the most gorgeous day on Saturday together, shopping, nails, lunching and then off for a night out with Andrew Rudd in his new restaurant. With 4 little ones under 6 it was a badly needed breather for her and some valuable Sister time for both of us. 

That's why when the gorgeous gals in Om Diva offered us a beer while we browsed we didn't hesitate to accept. Fantastic customer service in a beautiful little boutique, it *may* have led to me buying this stunner  but one can't be sure *hic*. 

Tell me, what's chasing away your Monday Blues this week? Hmmm? 

Cherry Pick of the Week: Naughty Boy - La La La ft Sam Smith

Loving this catchy number from Naughty Boy ft Sam Smith. 

Yep, the video is bizzaro but the hook is catchyyyyy!

What make we of this one then?