A Berry Christmas With Paese

Paese is a brand that I don't tend to talk about, but use all the time. Why the hell is that you ask? I'm not too sure at all, I'm dreadful for talking about the same things over and over, while I have drawer fulls of amazing things I use and love, but never tell anyone about. Whats that line about a well kept secret? As its now almost into mid November, I guess its a lot safer to talk Christmas without getting the head eaten off me! Paese sent me out a few goodies to have a try of with the festive season in mind and I think their right on trend.

First thing that really caught my eye was the Bamboo powder with silk proteins. It not only looks beautiful in its box, but it sounds almost far too fancy to slap on your face. Silk proteins!? This is a white loose translucent podwer that makes you look like a china doll - depending on how much you apply of course. This really gives the most lovely finish and I've noticed I don't need to reapply my finishing powder as much throughout the day when I use this one. Thats always a big plus for me considering I'm prone to being a little shiny (sexy, right?). This contains antibacterial and calming properties and no less then 90% hydrated silica - Thats the stuff that absorbs moisture so you don't get the unsexy shine. It also makes the light reflect so winkles, pores and blemishes are less visible. Can I get a hallelujah?! This comes in just the one shade of 30ml for €11.99, I'd definitely recommend having a goo at it if your at a stand.

Something that I've been a long time fan of is Paese's nail varnishes. I always pop one in my basket every time I pick up some things on Cloud10Beauty and they never fail to impress me. Actually they tend to be the ones that all my family reach for whenever they raid my nail varnish stash. Put on 2 coats and your ready to go, or 3 if your feeling extra fancy and have the time. They normally last about 3 days - as do most average to good varnishes do. This particular red is perfect for the festive season and really, red is never out of fashion. I like that the little pots they come in are square as you can easily pick them out from the rest of your collection (total blind person here!) and that theres so many different shades in the collection to pick from. Theres also a massive range of nail treatments that blow my mind every time I have a nose online at them and I can safely say that some will be on my Christmas list - doesn't every 20 something still need a stocking filled?! You can get these for just €4.99 each which I think is a bit of bargain myself. This particular red matches perfectly with the red lipstick a little below. Just like, fyi lads.

The one thing that I'm not too sure about out of the entire collection has to be the Manifesto liquid lipstick. I've never been a fan of lip glosses or these gloss to lip stick things. I just can't deal with the mess and stickiness of them all. Not to mention if there happens to be a little wind. Well thats it, you may head home and get back into the shower, cos' your hair is stuck to your lips and face. Oh so sexy person. (insert comment about you going Glen Coco here) This didn't do it for me in the slightest. I can see how some people might like the idea of lipstick but also a gloss as a handy 2 into 1 product. It has lots of 'hydration' which I'll agree with. It takes a while for the gloss to dry but its still really moisturising, so pigmented and surprisingly long lasting. So while this just doesn't do it for me, I think theres going to be a lot out there that wont be able to live without it. This ones €6.99 and has over 15 shades to pick from.  

 The last is another favourite of mine. This lipstick with argan oil is only gorgeous and glides on so smoothly. Its got vitimans, antioxidants and just lots of good stuff. Theres 20 shades to choose from and once you have one, you'll want the rest. This one is going to be a firm favourite in my hand bag for the length of Christmas. And with the cute little packaging they are sure to fit neatly into even the smallest of clutches. Bonus points, this red is the totally same shade as the nail varnish that I was talking about above. This one is also €6.99.

You can find stocklists and the full range over here.

*I did not pay for this item, it was a PR gift.  Please see my disclaimer here. 

Essence Hello Autumn Collection

Who heard that Essence was releasing a new Autumn collection and when a little bit mad looking for them? It can't have been just me, I'm sure of it. I went into the Penneys on O'Connell St and headed straight for the back of the shop where I knew they kept the good stuff - the makeup. This is one of the most affordable make up collections to come out this Autumn if I'm correct and its just gorgeous. I only picked up a few bits but I can tell you I'll be back in looking for a few more bits this weekend.

Walk in the park is the name of this 6 piece palette. My god almighty would you take a look at those warm shimmers? I had to have it, honestly. It talked to me. This was €4.79 so I couldn't say no. Theres also another one in this collection thats slightly colder, darker shades with an almost black colour being the darkest, called keep calm and go for a walk. I think all the names are a little bit mad. All the colours in these are light so there really easy to build up and I'm surprised about how little fall out there is considering there on the cheap side. And the very best bit is the packaging is neat and compact so you can pop it in your makeup bag with plenty of space left. It also comes with a double ended brush if your stuck.

Keeping on eyes two eyeliners in a brown and dark green are available for €1.89 each and also two eyebrow kits that are €3.09 each. I'm not in the market for an eyebrow kit as my current one works wonders, but I was sad that there were no eyeliners left on the stand. Lots to look out for in the coming weeks!

Another must have from this collection is the multi-colour powder thats only €4.09. So maybe its a must have because it looks so gorgeous, but its true. This is a perfect highlighter and despite the darker shades in this, I'm not as scared to use it now as I had been to begin with. All the prettiness here.

Theres also 2 blushes in this collection, they are colour adapting which put me off a little. They sounded too gimmicky to fork over a few bob for when I went in for just a few things and was in a rush. But maybe next time I'll pick up one for the craic and see if there any good. There only €3.09 each anyway so its not breaking the bank. 

The last thing I picked up was the lip cream in beauti-fall red for €2.49. You can also get a pink one, but I can't pass a red by without wanting it. This is easy to apply and doesn't have that awful plasticy smell some cheaper lip products can have. It drys almost matte and has an average staying power, but does stain the lips a little. Handy to throw in the handbag as an emergency red lip (doesn't everyone have one of those!?) that you wont cry over if it gets lost.

There are several different nail varnishes in this collection too that also sounded a little gimmicky as they say they change colour with the temperature. I hadn't time to properly look at them, but I might pick one up as its only €2.49 a pop. Lastly there are also themed autumnal coloured bobbins that are seem free for €3.79. What an amazing collection if I do say so myself! Some real gems there that I'm sure will be missed once the season is over.

What would you pick up from this collection?

Review: Rimmel Apocalips

'Big Bang' and a little swatch of it.

The blogger and vlogger world have been crazy for Rimmel's new Apocalips ever since they were released late last month. Since then every girl has been running to the nearest shop to try out these lip glosses and I can see why they are causing a stir. I gave in and swatched a few the other evening in Boots only to come away with 'Big Bang' a fab red colour.

Oh wow, these lip glosses are highly pigmented, creamy, opaque and in a range of 8 amazing colours that have a lasting power thats unreal. Also the applicator wand has a slight indent? hole? in it to catch product, which means you will only need one dip into the tube for full coverage. I love the packaging and how it didn't dry my lips out - this is a each to their own thing, as many reviewers have mixed feelings. I put on some lip balm before applying this gloss, could have something to do with it.

I put this on in the early evening, had dinner, drinks and even a sneaky kiss. Then a bath with the room full of steam. Some of it did naturally come off during the night but overall the red colour stayed. It didn't bleed like I thought it would in the heat of the bathroom and the colour was still as clear to see as when I first put it on. I am very impressed to say the least and know I will be back to Boots to get another one or two shades. Rimmel seem to be able to do no wrong lately, keep it up please guys!

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