New NYC Expert Last Lipstick

NYC make up had a buy one get one half price in SuperDrug and I was going to pick up something in particular anyway so it would have been a shame not to take advantage of the offer. I came away with their new expert last lipstick in the shade 404 Air Kiss. Isn't it pretty? Since I started wearing it I have had so many people ask me what I'm wearing. Delighted with myself! I even had to go pick one up for the mammy when I was in Penneys - their budget make up stand collection is amazing! NYC, Catrice, Wet'n'Wild and Essence all under one roof? I'm bringing my tent next time. Ah, new home!

The new last lipstick claims to be moisturising, last up to 6 hours, doesn't feather or bleed and long lasting shine. Hmm, well now I can safely say that it does in a way last a long time but not 6 hours. Its quite drying on the lips once the top layer has warn off and you would want to use a lip scrub before applying this as it does cling to any imperfections or dry skin. I like to apply a lip balm on underneath this so it doesn't dry out my lips. However it doesn't bleed and has a good shiny staying powder as long as you don't drink or go off kissing someone! It has a sweet smell that I really like but I would say its not for everyone, have a sniff of a tester if your thinking of picking it up! This lipstick comes in 20 colours (see them all here) and are a cheap as chips €2.49. You can get them in Penneys and lots of chemists stock NYC stands as well.

Above is a swatch in natural sunlight and I managed to stab the poor lipstick with the lid, extremely special person that I am! But considering its less then 3 quid, I'm not going to cry over it.

Below, as many selfies as I can fit into one post. I know, right?

 You should go treat yourself to one, cos' I said so x

Repost: Hair Dying The Wrong Way By Some Pretentious Name

This post is a little different. Its a very special repost  from one of my very best friends. She has just started blogging at Some Pretentious Name and I am pleased to say that I don't have to be a good friend and lie - its actually a funny and interesting read that I really enjoy. Go you girl ;) We decided to dye my hair and this is a repost of hers. Enjoy! 

Dear Barren Recess,

I have dyed my hair. Many, many times. My hair is basically a chameleon attached to my head.

You would think that after the 18 odd time I have dyed my hair, I would have learned the various tricks of the trade. I really..really wish I had. That way, when friends of mine (Such as the Big Blonde Girl) come over and ask me to do their hair for them, assuming I have absolute expertise, I could actually make their hair into something that does not resemble a troll. As it is, I shall just have to settle with laughing at their now misshapen tufts of hair.

Clearly they haven't got the message yet, because Big Blonde Girl asked my to dye the ends of her hair pink and blue.

Here is our attempt to make it work.(My incredibly short attention span led me to forget to take pictures of anything but the bleaching). Beware, boring post ahead.

So this is what her hair looked like before. She had dyed it before at Halloween, the same pink and blue again , but she her hair was dark brown at the ends so it didn't take properly, specifically the blue. If your hair is not light enough, blue will often turn a kind of swampy green, which I am guessing is not what you had in mind if you are using blue dye.

We used Jerome Russell high lift bleach powder and maximum lift cream peroxide, and mixed it all up together.

When making this mixture, it should be a thick bright blue paste. The bleach powder is very important, because it makes it go more of a yellow/blonde, whereas the cream peroxide alone will go bright orange (However, if your hair is dark, or previously dyed a dark colour, it will go orange anyway).Then just kinda coat it onto the ends of the hair, making sure you get everything. Make sure to get the same distance from the bottom of the hair at all sides, cause otherwise it just looks weird. Unless that's what you're going for, in which case more power to yah.

Here is a picture of her hair about 2/3s of the way done. If you are doing this on your own, separate your hair into right and left sections and have them hanging down by your face for easy access.

We then turned wrapped tinfoil around the bleached bits and left it in for 40 minutes. Then we washed all of the bleach out, and sat her down again. 

For doing a two tone dip dye we used Crazy Colour hair dye in Bubblegum Blue and Candy Floss. The best option is probably putting the bottom colour in , letting it sit, washing it out and adding in the second colour. But I was lazy, so we just popped them both in together and washed them out after another 30 minutes. Or we would have, but she fell asleep, so it was more like 2 hours. 

As a result, we wound up with shades of blue, green, purple and pink. The peroxide didn't work as well as we hoped it would, probably because it wasn't left in long enough.

And here we have the finished result the next day! Personally, though it didn't turn out as well as I hoped it would, I don't think it was all that bad! Though it looks quite different here then it does in actuality. Maybe the camera just shows you what you want to see rather then what is actually there. But if that was the case, than why does it still show me when I take pictures of myself? Curiouser and curioser?

I shall now end this post, my darling Barren Recess. I am sorry that it was the most boring post in a series of boring posts. I shall promise that I will try to be better.

Sincerely,

S

I'm really pleased with how my hair turned out! Thanks S x Go check out more of this girls fab writing over here.

All pictures copyright of SomePretentiousName

Autumn Boots And Owl Purse

I've been living in pumps and those little roll-it-up-and-put-it-in-your-pocket tennis shoes all summer but now the feets are starting to freeze and complain every time I go outside this past while, so it was time to try and find a decent pair of boots or shoes that would be warmer and more sturdy then what I have been wearing. Take a look at the shoes I'm talking about here. And so let me introduce you to my new babies that I love oh so much. 

These black, slightly above the ankle boots are Pennys best would you believe for only €30, such a great bargain! They are meant to be leather on some parts, but don't ask me, I threw away the little card when I first put them on like a dope. They are true to size, being a perfect fit for me. (size 5) Lacing up at the front they have gorgeous square studs in three rows at the top of the boot. Studs are all over every other hand bag and top being really on trend now. They have different ways you can lase them up too, adding a little extra detail. They've a cute little light brown heel on them, just enough to give a tiny bit of extra height. These are super comfy and will be glued to my feet all this Autumn.

Next is my new love of my life, a hot pink, owl covered clutch purse. I spotted this in the window of The Bag Shop in the Ilac centre on Henry St. I've been looking out for a new purse as my old one is very worn because the fabric has frayed. That and if it has more then 3 quid in change it refuses to close, instead emptying the contents into the bottom of my bag. This purse has a zip, a Zip! Oh joy of joys it has it all. Its got plenty of space for cards, change and notes inside, maybe even a cheey lip gloss could be stuffed in too. It has a dark brown strap for easier carrying too. They come in several different colours and retail for €15. 

Have you your eye on a new pair of shoes, a bag or purse?

The Comforter Bubble Bar

I have to start off by saying mmm. That sums up this lovely pink and white Lush 'the comforter' bubble bar completely and theres really no need to go on. But I will anyway for those of you who are yet to be convinced. To start with I'll point out the obvious, its huge like break-into-four-pieces huge. At about €5 its a little pricey like a lot of Lush things are but I think you get a bit of a bargain with this as you can cut up little chunks of this to make it stretch to a few baths rather then just the one. If you do decide to do that, pop the rest of the pieces into a sandwich baggie to make sure it stays fresh and if any little pieces start to crumble, you have a mess free zone! 

The amount of bubbles you get from this guy is amazing, even if you only use a tiny bit. I think by now you will all know that I am a fan of having as many bubbles as humanly possible in the bath, and this really helps achieve the dream! I had to take a billion pictures of just how bubbly it got (its the little things, don't judge) And to top it off the lovely girly pink and white bar has an amazing smell of sweet blackcurrant, thats something you can't help but relax with while having a little dip in the pink bath water. Its also preservative free which means its better for the environment not needing any packaging and to top it off its vegan friendly.  

Definitely something I will be picking up again once I finish my other pieces. Its bigger then a lot of the Lush bath products so this would be a lovely present to pop in a bag of goodies for a birthday or some other present worthy event. I have my eye on another bubble bar 'blue skies and fluffy white clouds' that is just like this one but its blue and has a totally different smell. Go look at it here and 'ohhh' with me.

Review: Oh So White Bath Bomb

 Well hello there lovely readers! I have a very exciting review for you, the Lush kind!  I am only able to start doing reviews on these things as there is quite a bit to test out! I got two lovely gift sets from friends for Christmas and also went to their sales to grab some really amazing bargains. Keep an eye out next Christmas as they do an Stephens Day 50% off on most of their stock. 

 This lovely Oh So White bath bomb that is a limited edition Christmas one, so you wont be able to go running to your nearest shop to try it out. However I do think there are quite a few places online that you can still nab one. Try the American Lush site, as I know the UK one isn't stocking them anymore. Ebay might be worth a glance too. 

This bath bomb was reinvented from previous years with a pink surprise inside it. You can fill your bath with warm water and then like a real snow ball, throw the bath bomb against the side of the bath. The white outter shell is thin and will break easily to reveal the pink, fluffy bubble bar mixture fun inside! 

Its something cool to add to your bath time experience thats made with neroli, rose sent and bergamont. You can really smell the rose and hints of something sweet but soft. You get into some really moisturising water but if your a bubbles person you will come away disappointed as the white and pink bubbles that were there while the bath bomb was fizzing away will have disappeared. 

This is one of the less attractive and plainer bath bombs that Lush have, along  with the fact that there are no bubbles is always a bit of a let down. But if you are all about feeling soft and silky after then this guy is for you. For around €4.50 you can get a little fun, lovely smells and pink swirls.