W7 HD Foundation And Sponge Applicator

When w7 gets it right, they really know what their doing. Theres been many a totally wonderful dupe, with things like the Naked palettes, Benefit blushes and mascaras. But the one thing I hadn't ever picked myself up was their brushes or foundation. Whatever about slapping things on my eyes, when it comes to foundations and brushes, I'm really fussy and hard to please. I tend to have tonnes in the back of draws that I wont touch because I felt it just wasn't up to scratch. (I give them away to family and friends, don't worry I'm not hording them!)

So when these came in the post I was intrigued to say the least. If I'm honest I wasn't expecting much from the foundation. *HD foundation in the lightest shade, buff, claiming to last 12 hours with a light coverage. After giving it a good shake, I applied it with my trusty kabuki brush and noticed that it was lightweight, with an almost - mousse foundation feel. It matched my skin tone almost perfectly which I was pleased with, as it can be hard to find a good match for me with budget brand makeup. It was really easy to build up to a fuller coverage and it lasted me all though the day after a quick brush over with setting powder. I like that it doesn't make any mad claims either with only 12 hours.

I also really like that it has a pump so its easy to get out the product, but it has a sturdy lid that doesn't come off once closed. I think it would be grand for travelling with, if it wasn't for the weighty glass bottle. I love how those bottles look displayed, but man are they a tonne to cart around! I couldn't get over how affordable they are at only €3.50 from Cara Pharmacy, definitely worth picking up if your in the market for some new foundation and you don't want to break the bank.

On the opposite end of the scale, I wasn't at all pleased with the *sponge applicator. I can see where they were going with it and to a certain extent it is handy with a handle, but I didn't like it. The sponge had a funny smell and soaked up loads of product before it got near my face. It was a harder foam then I'm used to with little make up sponges so it felt odd on my skin. But then again a good point was that it was shaped well and therefore easy to get into the hard to reach places near my nose. Overall, I'm not a fan and wont be using it again. Its not on the Cara site, but I found it on the w7 site for £3.95 which when converted into euros is a bit much for a not so amazing sponge. I think I'll be sticking to the €1.50 sponges you can get in Penneys.

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

My Top 5 Blushers

Blusher is something that terrified me for years and I've not been brave enough to use it for the longest time. Only recently in the past 6-8 months have I properly started to use it daily and try to conquer it. Hell, it still does its best most days to make me want to run screaming. There are so many colours, brushes and different types. It makes my head spin - and thats even before you go to apply it. How the hell do people manage to look effortless putting on just the right amount of the stuff? I'm sat in the corner after getting a look at my reflection and realising I have clown cheeks. That, or I'm severely embarrassed looking and why wouldn't I be! Those of you out there who have mastered it, I take my hat off to the lot of you.

In my never ending quest to find not only the perfect blush, but also the perfect tools and the perfect amount to apply, I've gained a substantial amount of products. Some are fancy, some are less then a fiver, but none the less, they are all occasionally speaking my language, so we get on quite well. My top 5 may not even come close to your radar, but for me, these are the bees knees. (For now!)

The first is a short and sweet one from one of my favourite brands, Seventeen. When these stamp blushers came out in the summer I thought they would be just the thing to sort my woes of looking like a clown. A lovely light pink shade thats neutral called blushing and is one of five colours to choose from. This works perfectly and goes on really easy too. The stamp part didn't work out as well as I had first imagined, as you do need a brush to buff it out a little (silly novice me!) With it being €6.29 I think its perfect for those who, like myself, are new to the game and maybe want to test out different shades with different looks. You can see more photos and a full review of it over here.

Sue Devitt silky blush is the next on the list. This one is in the shade malay reef and is slightly more pricey at roughly €14.50. I got this one in a special edition Glossy Box last Christmas and if I'm honest I knew nothing about the brand before getting it. This cream to powder finish is slightly more tricky to work with, so I wouldn't recommend running out the door 2 seconds after you slap this one on. Also the smallest amount goes a long way. I've had a look around the interwebs and theres a lot of this brand on sale from lookfantastic.com at the moment. Maybe you can pick up something you've wanted to try for a bargain!

A shimmer that is perfect for the Christmas season is this Benefit one. I got it last year in a Christmas set (groovy kind-a love) and it has two blushes in it that I mix every time I use it. The light pink side is Dandelion pink perk me up and the darker shimmer side is Gimme Fever. Both of these separately cost over €30 so I am on the look out for a dupe, but if your into your blushers and want to fork out, I'd especially recommend the second one. I'm clearly mad about my shimmer as you'll soon see below! This is the one thats currently got a special place in my make up bag at the minute. Ugh all the love! (I know, total sell out to more expensive make up brands then what I normally preach about, but if it makes it less of a sin - it was a present!)

A much more budget friendly blush is my w7 The Honey Queen which is the biggest Benefit dupe there is out there! w7 are well known for their amazing dupes (eh hello Naked palettes alert!) and this is no differnet. Along this could look a little daunting with all those colours, but when you give it a swish round with your brush, it makes the perfect dark pinky shade. Not only does it look pretty in the box, it works wonders on the aul mug! This has a tiny - barely noticeable shimmer running through it, so its ok if you go to town with this one. You wont look like you made out with a box of glitter at the end of it. For less then a fiver you can get it from The Cosmetic Outlet where they have a full range of the w7 products. You can read my full review of it here with lots of photos and more information.

 And last but not least is my NYR mineral blush in peony. This is a deeper almost brownie shade and my god its one of the best and equally worst of the lot of them. If you haven't got blusher down just yet, attempting a mineral one is a feckin' minefield of hassle. It will go all over the place, you'll end up with it all over your boobs and top and in the end you could quite possibly be ready to run away to the circus. But on the other hand you could dip your brush in a tiny bit, tap the shit outta' it and then brush it lightly over your cheeks and be gorgeous. Or so I've seen others do.  But then again, isn't the 'overheating and simultaneously freezing my face off' look really in around this time of year? Perfect. This will set you back €21 but this one is only for the brave. (Or the gobshites like me who sneeze and ruin the entire thing. Note: Don't sneeze.)

Am I the only one with the dreaded problem of how to use/find the perfect blusher?

Benefit Dupe? The Honey Queen

W7 can be a little hit and miss at times, but if you've ever used one of their eyeliners or one of their eye shadow palettes then you'll know there are some total gems. I've blogged and Instagramed like a loon about some of their things in the past and today is no different. When I was in the Cosmetic Outlet the other week picking up a new w7 palette I happened to see this as I was having a goo. The honey queen honeycomb blusher. Is it just me or does it give off the vibe of a softer Benefit Sugar Bomb blusher? Similar shades, the same type of packaging and a small brush that is just like the Benefit one. I think its safe to say its a dupe, but for more then half the price. 

A mixture of shimming rose, peach and slightly dark plumy shades. This is a really gorgeous blush that is a total bargain for €5. Its a little hard to carry around as its a bulky, but very sturdy box. However, if your setting your make up well, then this is the perfect thing to use. Its also got  handy little brush that fits perfectly into the box, just in case you need it on the go. This gives the most lovely hint of a peachy blush on the skin with a little shimmer. Perfect for the upcoming season of all the glitter and shimmers you can possibly fit onto yourself in one go! 

I'll be honest and say this isn't the best photos of how it looks on my skin as the light was so bright it kind of made everything look extra white and washed out. But fear not I will put up a swatch of it on my fingers later to Instagram which you can follow to see that update later, over here. But for someone like myself who is a little terrified of having blusher or contour thats too OTT, this is really perfect when your looking for a little colour but nothing overly in your face. 

As a blush novice, I'd love to know what you think about this! 

Crazy Bargains At The Cosmetic Outlet

I've been down this road before and I know all too well that you can't go into the Cosmetic Outlet on Meath St in Dublin for 'just one thing'. But thats what I told myself after seeing their new w7 palettes in stock. Honest to god, I only went in for a look... And then suddenly I came away with a light purse and several heavy bags. Thats just how it goes. If you fancy a look at my first major savings haul from this shop, you can have a read here. Be warned, not only is the shop coming down with bargains, but they have new stock in almost weekly, so you'll always find something new you want every time you go in!

I bought the first w7 palette in the Cosmetic Outlet and use it all the time. The range of shades, the pigmentation, the long lasting wear, the fact that its a dupe for the Naked 2 palette! Theres nothing I don't love about it. So naturally when they came out with a dupe for the Naked 3, I couldn't pass it by. You can get it for €10, which is a fraction of any of the Naked palettes. 

I also picked up w7 angel eyes in their dark natural palette. Its small, easy to pop in your bag and has a lot of colours to choose from. Its also got a really handy mirror and I can't wait to have a play around with everything. This was €5 so I thought it would be rude not to pick it up considering the history of amazing quality w7 shadows.

While I was at the w7 stand I couldn't help notice the Honey Queen blush that looked gorgeous and not unlike the Benefit blushes. Seeing as it might be a dupe I had to get it and it was only €5 too. Once I get stuck into all these and use them I'll do some reviews and tell everyone how I got on!

I also went a bit wild and picked up two Rimmel lipsticks and a Maybelline one. I've passed these by more times then I can count when I'm in Boots and always say I must pick some up, but they are near €8 so I always pass them by. Then the craving for a loads of them comes back when I'm reading about them on some of my favourite blogs. Its just not fair if you ask me! (someone play me the worlds smallest violin, thanks.) But these were only €5 each and I'm genuinely sad that there weren't more shades to choose from. There were lots of Kate Moss for Rimmel lip sticks, but I have a lot of those already. I will be scouting out the shop for more Maybelline ones especially as they are gorgeous. I've not even swatched any yet and I know I need more, the Maybelline ones smell sweet and I'm half tempted to have a taste. Its also not the normal colour I would go for but at 5 quid I decided to try it out. The Rimmel ones look really pigmented and I can't wait to start using them, I got a deep blue toned red and a lighter pink toned red. All of the lip stick noms. (I sound like I'm having them for dinner. Honestly I don't eat them!)  

I'm forever buying Impluse. One goes in my handbag, another in my room, the bathroom and then the ones that grow legs and wonder off. So I couldn't help get 3 for €5 while I saw them there. They will be used in no time and already my mother has her eye on them. (Actually when I showed her all these bits shes asked me to go back in and pick up some things for her. Mammy stamp of approval right there!) 

Brows are something I've stayed cleat of for years and am only beginning to start filling them in. Paul gave me this w7 Brow Bar to try out and I'll admit, I laughed when I saw that they come with stencils. I'm someone who has a dreadful habit of plucking my brows to nothing or having the odd alcoholic accident where I wake up with them shaved off (Its happened more then once) so they may come in seriously useful if (and when) something happens again. This is €5 too, do you see the trend here!

Lastly two of my most exciting things that I got in the shop. Paul very kindly gave me an orange skull detailed clutch bag and a statement flower chain necklace. I knew when I saw the bag I had to get it as it matches my orange pumps perfectly. You can see them here. It comes with a chain that you can clip of and off the bag which is a great extra. I love that theres a pocket inside to put your phone too. This is going to get really good use on nights out or even just if I'm popping to the shops and not brings loads with me. This is €10 and comes in loads of different colours. I'm keeping an eye out for a black one next!

Lastly is the statement flower necklace that I've not taken off since getting it (mainly because my mother has tried to rob it a few times!) Its sparkly, weighty and perfect for someone like me who wears basic darks and needs something to brighten up an outfit and give it that wow factor. This is €15 and there are so many more to choose from. I have gotten necklaces from the Cosmetic Outlet before for myself and as presents and they wear so well. I always get compliments when I have them on and theres far too many I'd love to get! They are all between €10 to €15.

If your not close to Dublin but plan on making a visit nearer to Christmas I'd really suggest you head over to the shop. Paul let me in on a few secrets and I'm really excited. I want to be first through the doors when the new stock hits the shelves and his new brushes(!) come out. Oh god, the excitement is nearly all too much.

And if you need one more push out the door to make the trek up Meath St, then I have just the thing. The shop right next to the Cosmetic Outlet is a lovely clothes and shoes shop. It stocks loads of gorgeous things that are for next to nothing. I got a really nice floral kimono in it for only €7 after paying €13 for a plain black one in Penneys. I'm such an enabler, I know! 

Get Thee To The Cosmetic Outlet!

I heard about the Cosmetic Outlet all the way back last year when I went to Sam's bloggers Dublin Meet Up as they sponsored some prizes and gave everyone goodie bags, the dolls! Since then I regularly drool over my news feed on Facebook looking at all the great things they have in stock. I have said time and time again that I will visit the shop but something has always come up. Not yesterday though, no sir. I hopped off the bus and headed straight to Meath St. (with the help of Google maps) Holy god I didn't realise what I had been missing. I originally went with the intentions of getting a w7 In The Buff palette (€10) as they are meant to be close dupes of the Naked 2 palette. Look below at the colours, isn't it just lovely?  

But what I didn't bank on was the owner of the shop, Paul, being such a gas fella and having so much more in his shop (that I drooled over) then I had first thought. So naturally I got a few more things and even some Mothers Day bits as it would have been rude not to with those prices! Have a look below and then wipe the drool off your mouth. I know right, uber pretty? I got the blue one (€10) for my granny for Mothers Day - she is going to go wild when I give it to her, she loves her glam jewelry. I might have also picked up a pink chunky necklace (€15) for myself, I couldn't help it. I nearly purred - yes purred, over the collection of different necklaces Paul had to offer and I know for a fact that I'll be going back to get another statement piece. (It's got wings on it and a mask like face. Oh mammy its divine.)

As I was chatting away I mentioned I'd pick up some things for the mammy and granny. Paul very kindly made up two Mothers Day gift bags for me and put all the things I got for them into it. Aren't they really lovely? Bows, dotted cellophane and cute bags! You can get these already made up with loads of different things to choose from inside. Have a look at the photos below to see some of them. Or you can have your pick if you go onto The Cosmetic Outlet Facebook page. They start at €10 which really are a bargain - and we all know how much I love a bargain!

  

I also got YesTo products that are stupidly hard to find in shops in Ireland. But they were on offer 3 for €10. How could I say no to that? I picked up a L'oreal collagen re-plumping cream and MaxFactor mascara for the mammy and a mens Burt gift set for a birthday present. Its not just ladies products they had to offer as I roamed the shelves, there is a wide range of mens products too. 

 If that wasn't enough, Paul kindly gave me his new Madison brushes to try out (I felt them in the shop, they are so soft! I can't wait to give them a go and write up a review) and also some w7 products since I came in for the w7 eye shadow palette. I doubt you'll see me come out of the house this side of Christmas with all the things I have to play with now! 

I can safely say I will be going back to the Cosmetic Outlet again soon as I have my eye on a few more things (in the region of €70, so I'll bring the fella along too. Just to carry the bags, honest..) One of the jems I'm drooling over is the pink handbag below, it just screams take me home. I can't get over the range of products they stock like Vichy, GreenAngel, Cocoa Brown, Shiseido and more. Not to mention how friendly and helpful the staff are. Oh and the next to nothing prices, thats a definite winner in my books! 

So go on now, get thee to the Cosmetic Outlet and tell them I sent you!

Make Up Face With Wet'n'Wild

Above is how I generally look when it comes to talking about make up or indeed putting it on. Looking confused, slightly frazzled and scratching my head. I'm no expert in the field and can regularly be seen sporting lipstick down to my boobs, big bushy eyebrows and eyeliner across my cheeks. What can I say, I like to do my make up in a darkened room and hoping for the best outcome. But today I thought I'd give all you internets people some lolz while I show you what I have on my face, Including Wet'n'Wild which is brand new to Ireland, so we need not be so jealous of American people and their wonderful cheap make up any longer!

Whats on my face:

Benefit POREefssional 

Wet'n'Wild cover all concealer palette

 Catrice camouflage concealer 

Model co fluid splash foundation

Seventeen miracle matte pressed powder 

Benefit eye shadow 

Wet'n'Wild eyeliner in black

Essence liquid ink in black

Wet'n'Wild mega protein mascara in black

Rimmel Kate lipstick in 107 

My Sleek and w7 makeup brushes

I really liked the Wet'n'Wild mascara for a subtle day time look, but the only down side is that it takes ages to dry. I was flapping my eyelids about like a crazy person trying to get it to dry! The eyeliner is massive and will last ages but pulled a little when drawing it on. Lastly the concealer is great and it has a highlighter in there too which is handy but a bit too sparkly for my liking. If I was going for a concealer palette like this I would use Catrice's one that I have reviewed over here. Much better constancy, colours and it doesn't hurt my skin.

I got the four Benefit eye shadows in Groovy Kind-a Love set for Christmas but depotted them and didn't take photos of the set before hand like the dope that I am! On the outter corner of my eye I have tickle my ivory, then guilt-y pleasure and in my crease I have both shimmer down and kiss me, I'm tispy. You can see the full set below; image from Benefit.com.

Naturally with big dark red lips I couldn't help but pull a Miranda Sings face, she is so funny and I love watching her youtube videos. You can check her out here, and I also love her instagram profile too! Thats all from me now, I hope my face hasn't scared you all too much! As always, have a great day x