19.9.10

Haul: Urban Decay Naked Palette

I am now a proud owner of Urban Decay's Naked Palette.
I am a huge fan of neutral eyeshadows - I think they are perfect for both daytime and nighttime. They can be worn alone, mixed and matched or worked into a smokey look.  
 The palette contains 12 eyeshadows - Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep and Gunmetal. It also comes with a dual ended eye liner with Whiskey and Zero.

(click to enlarge the photos!)
 (L-R): Virgin, Sin, Naked, Sidecar, Buck (and Zero eyeliner)

 (L-R): Naked, Sidecar, Buck, Half Baked, Smog, Darkhorse, Toasted

(L-R): Half Baked, Darkhorse, Toasted, Hustle, Creep, Gunmetal (and Whiskey eyeliner)

Irish RRP - €36

18.9.10

Review: Inika Mineral Foundation Powder

The third product that I received from MyPure this month was an Inika Mineral Foundation Powder, which came in an adorable little gold pouch, with the cutest little kabuki brush. 
As I had never heard of the Inika brand before, I curiously looked up their website and discovered that Inika is an Australian cosmetics brand, that operates under the belief that women should always know exactly what they're putting on their skin.

Inika is a 100% natural (and 100% cruelty free) cosmetics brand. All of their products are free from harmful chemicals that could damage the skin. Their products are "non-comedogenic" (ie: they won't clog up your pores) and are suitable for all women, even those with serious allergies and sensitivities to cosmetics.
The MyPure website claimed that the mineral foundation powder would provide a "natural, radiant look" so I excitedly opened the jar!

BAD IDEA!!

... having never used mineral foundation before, I was not expecting the mini cloud of foundation that poured out! Thankfully, I have wooden floors in my bedroom so the mess was easily taken care of!!

Following that little disaster, I decided to read up about the product and, thankfully, their are detailed instructions on the MyPure website:

Dip the kabuki brush into the foundation and work it into the bristles, ensuring that the brush is evenly coated. Tap the brush handle on a hard surface to embed the foundation (and the minerals). Apply in light, downward strokes all over the face. For heavier coverage: use a circular buffing motion.

I opted for the heavier coverage method, and was delighted with the results. The product did give me a (somewhat radiant) glow and lasted all day!! I did notice a little caking in some places after the first few uses, but after I got used to the product, that stopped happening!


I really enjoyed this product, but at a steep €30 per container, I won't be splurging on it too often. For a very special occasion, it might be worth it though. If you want to know more about this, or to purchase this product, please check out the MyPure website.

Rating: 7.5/10

Please note: I was sent this product free of charge, but was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed are my own - they are completely honest and unbiased. I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies.

Review: Lovea Tahitian Monoi Moisturising and Restorative Hair Mask

Having previously tried out two other Lovea Bio products for MyPure, I was unbelievably excited when I opened my parcel this month and spotted a tub of their Tahitian Monoi Moisturising and Restorative Hair Mask. The other Lovea products I have tried (which I reviewed here and here) were absolutely brilliant, and I had very high expectations for this product...

... and it didn't disappoint!
Having dyed, fried (*with my ghd) and blow-dried my hair countless times over the past few years, to say it is "a bit dry and damaged" is a serious understatement. I always relish the opportunity to deep condition and restore some vitality and moisture to my poor barnet. This product is aimed at ladies with less than luscious locks that are in need of a good sorting out. 

The tub, like all Lovea products, is in French... but it basically says "The Lovea Bio moisturising and restorative hair mask can repair your dry or damaged hair, after exposure to sun or sea, or to counter the effects of chlorine. Enriched with Tahitian Monoi, this creamy mask restores your hairs fibre, and leaves it soft, shiny and dazzlingly beautiful, without weighing it down."
According to the MyPure website, this product can be used in two ways. Firstly, as a deep conditioning mask. The directions are as follows: "apply to your hair and leave for up to 30 minutes. For best results wrap a towel around your hair".

The second way that this product can be used is as a leave-in conditioner, as follows: "take a small amount of the product and rub vigorously between your palms, then finger through towel dry hair".

I used this product both ways, applying it all over my hair each time (but mainly focusing on the damaged ends of my hair). After using this product, my hair felt luxuriously soft and silky. My mum even commented that my hair looked "much healthier and softer" and it felt much less brittle.

 The consistency of the product is perfect - it's neither too runny nor too gloopy - and the scent is heavenly, like both of the other Lovea products I have tried. This price is a cheap and cheerful £7.99, and with the small amount required for each use, it goes a long way.

If you haven't checked out any Lovea products yet, you're missing out... big time! I am truly in love with this brand!!

Another perfect 10 :)

To read a bit more about this product, or to order one for yourself, please check out the MyPure website.
Please note: I was sent this product free of charge, but was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed are my own - they are completely honest and unbiased. I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies.

17.9.10

Haul: TK Maxx

A brand spanking new TK Maxx opened up in my town yesterday, so this morning I decided to mosey down to have a little look... and boy, was I impressed!

The first thing I picked up was this black and gold Suzy Smith clutch bag. This will look gorgeous with a black dress, or with jeans and a plain top, for a night out. This beauty only set me back €22.99. Check out the Suzy Smith website for other pretty purses.

The next thing is easily my favourite purchase - this gorgeous dark silver and ruby red Moschino scarf. Yep, you read that right.... MOSCHINO!! This was €39.99 - a total bargain, in my opinion, as this is an "investment piece". You can pick up similar scarves on either the Moschino website or at Net-a-Porter.

The last thing I picked up was this edgy cardigan, by Amy's Paris. It was a bargaintastic €22.99. This cardi is really comfy to wear, and the detailing on the shoulders and sleeves is gorgeous. I cannot wait to wear this :)
I didn't realise, until today, just how wonderful TK Maxx is - I shall definitely be returning to pick up some more gorgeous bits and bobs

16.9.10

Lippie Love #2 - Shy Girl

 For the second installment of my Lippie Love series, I want to introduce you to Shy Girl from Mac. 
 This is another beautiful cremesheen lipstick, with an incredibly moisturising, smooth texture. The neutral peach colour looks very bright but, when applied, it gives a gorgeous "nude lip" look without making you look washed out and sick - perfect for pale skinned beauties!

I mainly wear this during the day, but it can be dressed up for a night out by pairing it with a smokey eyed look.

Review: Living Nature Balancing Shampoo & Conditioner

I know there were some complaints that these monthly MyPure reviews were repetitive, with all 50 bloggers reviewing the same products.... so this month, the products I will be reviewing are tailored to my skin and hair types!

First up, is a brand from New Zealand called Living Nature. I was sent bottles of their Balancing Shampoo and Conditioner by the lovely folk at MyPure, following this description:
"my hair is quite dry and damaged but it has a tendency to become greasy very quickly"

I was so sure I would love these products...
I was unpleasantly surprised when I opened the shampoo bottle. The overpowering scent was almost nauseating. I normally love heavily scented products, but I just found it a little too much! However, for the sake of a thorough review, I soldiered on. I applied a generous amount to my hair and was disappointed to notice that it didn't lather. I love lathering up my shampoo - without the foam and bubbles, I just don't feel that my hair is clean!!

I then reached for the conditioner. According to the bottle, it contains active manuka honey. I absolutely LOVE honey scented products so I excitedly opened the bottle..... sadly, it did not smell like manuka honey, in any way. It was a similar sickly scent to the shampoo, and I almost couldn't stomach it!

As my hair tends to get greasy very quickly, I never apply conditioner to my roots... and it's a good job I didn't! Directly after my shower, I blow dried and straightened my hair, as usual. However, I noticed that the ends of my hair were quite dry, and the roots were disgustingly greasy!! I had no time to rewash my hair, as I had to dash out the door to a lecture, and I was less than impressed with my greasy mop.

The bottles say that these products are suitable "for all hair types" - I disagree. These products did not suit me, in the slightest. I forced myself to use them once more, after this experience, and I had the exact same results.
These products are £14.99 each for 200ml bottles. I will not be repurchasing this product, but if you would like to try it for yourself, you can pick it up on the MyPure website. You can also read more reviews about them by clicking here for the shampoo and here for the conditioner.

Rating: 0/10
Please note: I was sent this product free of charge, but was not compensated for this review. All opinions expressed are my own - they are completely honest and unbiased. I am not affiliated with any of the above mentioned companies.

14.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 30

Day 30 - Whatever takes your fancy

I stumbled across this tag on the gorgeous Jo's blog and thought it would be a fun way to finish out the past 30 days.

1. What is your beauty style? (Natural, trendy, etc.)
My day-to-day style is usually quite laid back and natural - I rarely wear eyeshadow or lipstick during the day, sticking to natural makeup and (somewhat) flawless skin... with lashings of mascara.

2. Where do you get your beauty inspiration from?
Most of my inspiration comes from the beautiful ladies I blogged about on Day 18 of this tag and from my favourite bloggers and youtubers. However, I also take inspiration from the "hippie" era of the 1960s - I love boho chic.

3. What beauty products do you have the most of?
On sheer quantity alone, I would have to say eyeshadow but I definitely buy more mascara than anything because I absolutely tear through it, piling it on every day!!

4. What's you favourite/holy grail colour for:
Eyes
I tend to prefer neutral shades on my eyes, venturing into dark browns and golds for a night out. I absolutely love MAC's Satin Taupe and Shroom!
Lips
I normally stick with skin toned colours, like MAC's Creme de Nude, for day to day wearing. For nights out, however, I usually go brighter, with colours like MAC's Creme Cup or Jazzed. I almost always go with Cremesheen lipsticks!
Cheeks
I always tend to stick with pink colours, very occassionally venturing towards a coral colour - I love Benefit's Coralista blush and use it all the time!!
Nails
I normally have clear nail polish on (I use nail strengthening polish between colours!!) but I don't have any particular "favourite" colour - I have a bit of everything in my collection. My favourite brands are Gosh, OPI, Topshop and Sephora.

5. Three favourite brands of the moment
These rarely change - I am pretty consistent in the makeup I buy, with my favourite brands almost alwas being Benefit, MAC and Topshop. I love Benefit for their foundations (I always wear the Play Sticks foundation in Spin the Bottle) and powder boxes. MAC have amazing eyeshadows and lipsticks, and their Studio Fix powder leaves your skin looking flawless. Topshop have incredibly good nail polish and mascara, and their products are pretty reasonably priced too!

I really hope you enjoyed the past 30 days, and that you learned a few things about me. Let me know if you're doing the 30 Day Tag too!

13.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 29

Day 29 - Hopes, dreams and plans for the next 365 days

I'm not the best at having plans for the future - I often tend to let things happen, but I have a select few goals for the coming year:

1. I hope to complete my masters degree with flying colours - I plan on studying my butt off to make this one happen.
2. I want to buy myself a car. Personally, I think that buying a car for myself would be a great accomplishment!
3. I would also like to lose weight (who doesn't) and become more healthy, in general.
4. I want to try and be single for the next year - I haven't been single since I was 18 years old, and I really want to enjoy my last year in college!
5. I want to take up yoga!! Weird, but true :)

I don't have very many hopes and dreams... but I think it's always good to live in the moment and enjoy life!! I can't believe this is my second last post of this tag - it has been an incredibly fun 30 days and I hope you've enjoyed reading these as much as I've enjoyed writing them!

12.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 28

Day 28 - This year, in great detail
If I was to speak about the past year in great detail, this post would take about a year to read.... so I'll try and be brief!

September: I started my final year (of a four year degree) in college - I remember being a bit scared, because I had just spent a year, on erasmus, in France doing absolutely no study!!!

October: I had decided over the summer that I really wanted to specialise in accounting, with a view to qualifying as an accountant one day, so in October I did lots of interviews with accounting firms. I was incredibly lucky and received an offer from my first choice company, KPMG. They are paying for my masters degree this year, and I will start working for them in September 2011.

November: My little brother turned 18 - I was a bit distraught, because he's an adult now and not my little brother anymore :(

December: I had the first half of my finals... and my parents bought me a beautiful iphone to congratulate me on my results! I don't think I have ever loved a piece of technology more (except for, maybe, my beautiful white macbook)

January: I celebrated my 22nd birthday! 22 is an awful age though - it's the first year that people stop giving you presents!! And, I only got three cards...

February: I celebrated my three year anniversary with my boyfriend - he bought me the biggest teddy bear I've ever seen!!

March: Several of my friends from Erasmus came to visit me in Dublin for Paddy's Day - we had the most incredible time, visiting the Guinness Storehouse and the Jameson Factory.... as well as all the other, non-alcohol-related, places :)

April: I spent this entire month studying and having no social life whatsoever... good times!

May: I did the second half of my finals and managed to get a job for the summer, with a finance company, working on loan valuations. This was a very productive month :P

June: After three and a half years, me and my boyfriend decided to call it a day - it was a mutual decision, and it was for the best! We still get on, and will be friends one day, but we knew it was time to do it. A few tears were shed, but I felt almost relieved the next day, like a weight had been lifted!

July: I got my results from college and found out I got the 2.1 degree that KPMG required of me. I couldn't believe it - delighted just doesn't cover the sheer joy that washed over me!!

August: I worked, a lot - 50 hour weeks were starting to take their toll on me!! When I wasn't working, I was sleeping :P

September: I graduated from college and started my postgraduate masters!! The fun times just keep on coming :)

11.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 27

Day 27 - This month, in great detail

This month has been hectic, to say the least - I will give you a run down of the different things I've been doing! I finished up at work, and had a little leaving do - as I'm starting back at college, full time, I won't be able to "commit myself" to a job... even though, I will miss the money awfully, I've much more free time now!

I graduated, finally, with a 2.1 degree in Commerce International with French - I have never seen my parents more proud of me than on that day!!!
I moved out of my parent's house - I've been living away from home for the past four years, but always move home for the summer (when college is over)... I'm back in college now doing my Masters, so I've moved back up to Dublin. I'm living with five strangers, on campus - Bryce (Canadian), Julia (German), Niamh and Louise (Irish) and another boy, who I haven't met yet.... I'm so happy with all of them at the moment - they're all so much fun, and really friendly :)

I started college last Monday (6th September) - I'm doing a Masters in Accounting, so I'll be studying financial and management accounting, as well as law, taxation, ethics and financial reporting. If this past week is anything to go by, I'm gonna be busy!!!

What have you been doing this month? Anything interesting?

10.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 26

Day 26 - Your week, in great detail

I'm going to use the phrase "in great detail" pretty loosely and give you a brief overview of my week - it wasn't very interesting!!

On Monday I moved into my new apartment in Blackrock, Co. Dublin. I also met all my lovely new flatmates... and I did some shopping as Monday was my last payday for a year!!!!! I bought another Yankee candle (I got the cherry scented one this time)

On Tuesday I had lectures from 9am to 5.30pm.... stressful stuff! After college we all went to the pub though - Ireland were playing (we beat Andorra 3-1... woo) and we had some dinner and drinks.

 On Wednesday I had ANOTHER full day of lectures, and we were given a lot of home assignments which I spent the entire evening doing.... I didn't get to bed until 1am! Madness :(

Thursday was another day of lectures, but we went out for a yummy lunch half way though, and got out at 4pm - result! We had a party in my apartment (wine was flowing) and then moved to a club - got to bed at 3am!

Friday (today) was taxing - I had to get up at 8am for college, and I was feeling a tad fragile all day!! I did meet my friends for dinner though, at our favourite Thai restaurant - I had chicken satay with peanut sauce to start, and then a yummy green curry with prawns!! Delish :)

This weekend will be spent studying and completing assignments - very exciting altogether!

Only 4 days to go - yahoo :)

9.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 25

Day 25 - Your day, in great detail
I wish I could write something remotely interesting here...... but I spent the ENTIRE day in class!! I am studying for a Masters in Accounting at the moment and have a hectic schedule - this week is especially awful.

Aside from learning my debits and credits, I made some yummy Spanish soup for dinner and I'm having a lovely class of French Merlot now - I'm going out with my friends tonight, so we're starting the party early!!

Sorry this was so short... and sorry if you're getting sick of these posts - good news is, I'm almost finished!!

8.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 24

Day 24 - Whatever tickles your fancy

Have a lookie at my nail polish collection
(please read the colours from left to right)
OPI Alice in Wonderland - Mad as a Hatter, Off with her Red, Thanks so Muchness, Absolutely Alice
 OPI - Sand in my Suit, Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ, You Don't Know Jacques
Gosh - Miss Minty, Chocaholic, Wild Lilac, Rainbow
Barry M - Matt White, Pink Flamingo
 Topshop - Hopscotch, Matte, Carry on Camping
 Sephora - Coco, Mangue, Glacon, Chamallow, Tagada, Zouk, Groseille
Rimmel in Pop Apricot, Sally Hansen's Maximum Growth Polish, NYC in Uptown
Oil of Olay - Divine Sunset, Apple Magic
L'Oreal in #500, Rimmel Nail Care, Maybelline in Midnight Blue
Bourjois - Manicure White, Noir de Chine, Rose Vamp
What is your favourite nail polish brand?

7.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 23

Day 23 - A YouTube video

I've been loving this song lately (could have something to do with Leighton Meester featuring)


What do you make of Leighton dabbling with music?

6.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 22

Day 22 - A website

My favourite website to pass the time is My Life Is Average


I can almost guarantee that this website will make you laugh

5.9.10

30 Day Tag - Day 21

Day 21 - A recipe

I am not ashamed to say that I make a truly delicious spaghetti bolognese... here's how I do it:

Ingredients (Serves 4)
450g x minced meat
1/2 large onion (white or red)
6 x button mushrooms
250ml x kidney beans
1 x red pepper
2 x pinch of cumin
1 x Dolmio bolognese sauce
1 x squirt of ketchup!!
as much as you want of either pasta, spaghetti, rice or potatoes

Method
Step 1
Heat a frying pan with a little bit of oil (not too hot) and put on whatever carb you are using to boil (I use either pasta, spaghetti, rice or potatoes)
Step 2
Add the mince to the frying pan, and cook until brown all over
Step 3
Wash and chop your veggies - you can really add any vegetables that you want, I tend to mix it up a fair bit
Step 4
Add a generous pinch of cumin to the frying minced meat (add this at any point during the browning, it doesn't matter when...)
Step 5
Add the "hard" veggies to the mince, once it is brown... I add the onions and kidney beans at the point
Step 6
Cooking time will vary, depending on how crunchy you like your veggies to be - I like mine quite crunchy so I only leave it frying for about 3-4 minutes
Step 7
Add the other veggies to the pan (mushrooms, peppers etc) and simmer for a further 5 minutes.
Step 8
Add the dolmio sauce, a squirt of tomato ketchup (trust me on this one!!) and another pinch of cumin.
Step 9
Serve... and enjoy!