The Best Of Beauty Challenge: Budget Bargain

By now were well aware that I am as all over the place as the day is long. Lets try see past that, can we?  I mean all relationships have there ups and downs, quirky little things that drive each other totally mad but you love them none the less. And fingers crossed I'm found lovable by at least some of you. The rest just find me sexy, lets face it. (Even I had a cackle at that one!) Right, stop flirting with me and let me tell you about this weeks blogger challenge. 

I'm sure you all know the craic by now, but if you don't then let me direct your lovely selves over to Sam from AllTheBuzz. She is the lady who made and hosts this challenge and is just a peach in general. Make sure and give her blog a poke about. Hell go a step further and give her an aul like or indeed subscribe to her. You wont regret it!

For me a bargain comes every time I walk out the door, I am a mad one for scouring the shelves and have made a happy home in many a euro saver shop. This naturally extends to make up and the one thing I can't have enough of, can't live without, is concealer. My favourite one of 2014 (so far) has to be Catrice and their massive all over corrector concealer palette for the bargain price of about €2.99. Honest to god you just can't go wrong! I did a bit of a post about it here. But you'll see from the photo above that my lovely palette is nearly no more and in the mean time I have been trying out all sorts of new goo on my face. This is where I start talking about the major bargain people. 

NYC cover stick. Doesn't look like much but man can this little thing cover up spots and imperfections like theres no tomorrow. And thats not the best part, oh no. Its $1.99 which means about €1.42 in he shops here. You can find NYC stands in Pennys and in some local chemists too. Grab your knickers and hats and get thee to a stand asap for the next to nothing prices! Your most welcome ;D

As always make sure and check out the #BOBBlogChallenge on Twitter to keep up with everyone elses budget bargains, you might find a few new wonder products to nab!

3 For 2 Offer In Boots You Say?

So I eh, went to Boots. Its a 3 for 2 offer on so many of the products and apart from going in for more Batiste and sprays, I might have had a little look round at some other things. All in the name of bargains of course.

A quick look at the Seventeen stand and I came away with a gorgeous nude lip crayon and a new colour clash nail effects nail varnish that looks really different, I can't wait to try it out. I also caved into the BB cream craze after avoiding it for so long. Rimmel had a nice one that I tried on the back of my hand with the added bonus of factor 15. I'm dying to give this a test drive and see if all the hype is as good as it sounds or if its one only fit for the bin.

Next I picked up 2 Impulse's for €4 and a half off bottle of Sure in the new mini size which is going to be handy to pop in my bag. It smells nice and also claims to leave no white marks, so we shall see. 

Lastly I bought 2 Batiste in blush as I ran out last week and was left nearly crying! To finish off the 3 for 2 offer I picked up L'oreal elvive's fibrology thickness booster that I've been hearing loads about so I wanted to try it out for myself. 

I've now loads of things I didn't necessarily need but none the less am dying to try out and most likely I will write some reviews on them! What about you, have you taken advantage of Boots brilliant 3 for 2 offers on loads of their ranges? I think I might need to do round two some time soon, just to make sure I'm taking in all the good bargains, you see ;) 

The Best Of Beauty Challenge: Princess Products.. Say what?

I'm a week late with this Best Of Beauty Challenge, I feckin' know you needn't be tellin' me! Oh holy god I had my knickers in a twist last Thursday night and life got in the way, sneaky little fella. So instead this post is going up in the morning and then week 6 is going to be posted up at the normal time of 7pm Irish time tonight. In case you don't know, Sam from AllTheBuzz hosts all these delightful challenges and my god, shes not only brains but a pure beauty too. Go check out her new blonde locks, meow!

The first time I wrote this I was wreaking, I mean wreaking my head trying to think of what to use for this weeks Princess Product. I first I thought about a posh shampoo I was given, but even though it was over €20 I didn't like it. Then I thought about a Estee lauder lip stick that I have again a friend gave it to me as it wasn't her colouring and well who says no to a posh lip stick! The more I rooted through my stash the more I looked, the more I realised that I really just do not spend a lot of money on any one product.

I finally decided on some nail varnish that cost about €11 quid and for me that was a mad amount of money to spend on a tiny bottle. I have 2 bottles of Essie (that I actually got for €1.99) and some sparkly Models Own and Ciate polishes (both as pressies). Are they not just gorgeous? Be still my beating heart I only love glitter and lovely pale shades of wonder. 

I'm sorry for this being so late and also for it not being very exciting but I guess I just like my drugstore brands far too much to fork out on only one pricey thing!

Make sure to follow #BOBBlogChallenge on twitter to keep up with everyone elses posts and I will be back tonight with another installment of the beauty challenge! Till then, have a great day :) x

Februarys Powder Pocket

Holy god your all thinking, the woman is late with this sure its half way through March now! Well boys and girls I can say with a hand over my heart that life just gets in the way sometimes and thats whats been happening since I got my box from the lovely post man last week. But oh mammy have I been enjoying the contents so far. I also got to meet some of the lovely Powder Pocket people at the Irish Beauty Show in the RDS on Monday. They were great craic and its so nice to be able to put a few faces to the brand. So come here till I all about the box. The excitement!

For February's box the theme was very much focused on the theme of glamour as it was awards season. Gold tissue paper, a fancy light bulb sticker and the part that I loved the most, the powder pocket on the top of the box is gold too. Its such a simple detail but I'm mad on the details and packaging. Nice work lads and ladies, top marks. And as you can see Dodie my cat was very interested in seeing what was inside too!

I opened the box and out popped Marilyn Monroe with some pink bubble gum, the stunner. I loved the booklet this month and the layout is much better then the hard to work,read and fold one that I had a fight with last month. Have a look at it over here. 

I am totally delighted with all the bits in this months box, I opened it and let out a little happy sigh of utter contentment. I was as if the ladies and gents at Powder Pocket read my wish list and did their best to accommodate it! My nails over the past while have been getting worse and worse, so you can imagine my excitment when I found a lovely full size Jessica brilliance top coat. I have only ever drooled over this brand and at €13.95 for this, I was delighted to have my paws on it.

Keeping on the nails, Manicare 4 step file and shine was the next thing I set my peepers on. This is such a handy everyday thing to have and you can throw it in your handbag on the go for those emergency moments, This is only €2.50 but I think the packaging and product itself looks a lot more expensive. 

Reading about the Herra protect hair perfume got my attention as it was one of those potentially out there products that could only be considered a bit of a princess product - does nothing much but is fancy at the same time. The sample that came was hard to use and if I'm honest a bit of a waste. However I liked the packaging and have never used a sample like it before. A full size costs €29.50 and I don't think it would be anywhere near my wish list. But I'd love to see a few bloggers review it just to hear their thoughts.

The last two things were a lovely surprise. I spotted a lovely little bottle of The body shop shea shower cream. I'm a big fan of the body shop and an even bigger fan of their shea butter products so I couldn't have been more happier. I have yet to use it but its on the menu for my next pamper night. A full size 250ml is €8.85.

The last surprise I got was a lovely Shiseido benefiance pure retinol eye mask. I have known of this brand for years but their things are so expansive that I wouldn't dream of going near them, so getting the change to try something fancy from them is a big treat! For a pack of 12 these yokes will set you back a crazy €63. They must be doing something right if people are forking out that kind of money, I'll be sure to do a review of this one! 

Thats all from me for now. I hope everyone is doing well and having a good week. I see that there have been a load of new people following me through BlogLovin' - so a big hey and welcome to all of you! Its lovely to know that so many of you are subscribed to my blog and like my rambly tangents of posts. If you fancy being able to keep up with them all you can follow me on Bloglovin' over here or indeed you can keep up to date by following me on the GFC at the top right hand corner of the page. 

Gossip: The Irish Beauty Show

Yesterday I toddled off to the Irish Beauty Show in the RDS armed with my camera and some high hopes. Oh the excitement, so many companies, beauty things and new jems to find was overwhelming! And I was not disappointed either, meeting loads of people and getting to have great chats with everyone. Heres who I met and what bits I picked up. This is a really pic heavy post, sorry about that but I wanted to show everything!

First place I spotted was Graham Anthony, they had an offer on and I came away with a new foundation for a fiver, bargain! I'm not too familiar with the brand so I really wanted to get something and try it out, you never know when love might strike! I'm going to be slapping it on my mug and writing a review for you all in the coming future. 

At the second stand I approached I was met with the most distressing part of the show, Pro Impressions. I asked the person in charge if it was ok to take a few photos of the stand to show on my blog, which none of the other companies and stands had any issue with. But the man there refused saying that it was an English company and with me being Irish it was pointless as no Irish people would buy from across seas. He was also worried I would write something negative. He came across as really aggressive and I wasn't going to mention anything but after telling a few friends they suggested I talk about it considering how upset I was. So, I guess you don't need pictures to write a 'bad' review. I don't think I'll be getting anything from their site, for obvious reasons.  

But from most negative to most positive in a few short moments, I rounded the corner and my set my peepers on Honey House Natural. I got nattering to all the lovely people at the stand, in particular Angela Rohrer who was so knowledgeable on the brand. I was blown away by the products and bought a bundle of goodies to try and was kindly given a gorgeous Bee Bar Lotion to try out. Oh my goodness I couldn't wait to get home to try them! They are an American company that have broken into the English market and are now looking to bring their products to us here in Ireland. Fingers crossed it happens soon because I have a mother, granny and bundle of friends who I showed my bits to and they were near blows arguing over who got to try what! I'm going to be doing a full review of them soon. Hold onto your knickers people, these lads are ones to watch out for! 

Next I wondered over to the girls at the Baby B Browne stand. They were really chatty and helpful and I was lucky enough to be given bottle of their medium tan for face and body. I'm a tan virgin so this will be one very interesting post to write up once I've either become a tanned beauty or (more likely) I'll have done something wrong and end up like a streaky orange. I wouldn't trust me with a gorgeous tan product like this, fair play Baby B Browne! A few giggles for you coming soon!

I couldn't have been happier then when I found the Waxperts stand. Bloggers have been raving about this brand and I was almost throwing my pennies at them begging to have a go of all their things. (what can I say, we all know I'm a bit mad) I got talking to Trish who was nothing short of a ray of sunshine. She told me all about Waxperts ingrown hair pads, their wax and their lovely exfoliating gloves. She kindly gave me a few bits to try out and I can't wait to. I also want to give Himself the option to try out some as Trish was telling me men use them on stubble rash with great results. Unisex brand anyone?

Next I found myself in front of Victoria H Organics. This is a brand new Irish business that has just started and I got to talk to the lady herself all about it. Everything is hand made and hand packaged, organic and the range is huge for something that is only new and all done by hand. I was so impressed with it and come on, who could say no to products that look that good! I was lucky enough to be given a  gorgeous lavender bath creme brulee bath melt, it smells as good as it looks and I will definitely be reviewing it after I've tried it out. Another new Irish brand to watch out for!   

One of the last stands I went to before my poor feet gave up on me was Pixy Natural Skincare. I got talking to Jayleigh (I hope I haven't butchered her name, If I have I'm so sorry!) She was a tonic and was so helpful talking about all the products they had on offer and a general natter on all things beauty. I'm a massive fan of Pixy as I love supporting good Irish brands so I was happy as anything having a goo at the full range. I bought a lovely Honey bath bomb and was kindly given some Cellulite body oil to try out. I meant to pick up a face mask but it went out of my head entirely. I guess I'll just have to go shopping for it (How awful, not!) I admitted something awful to the people at the stand and I think its only fair I tell you all as well. I was cleaning out my bag the other day and found about 2 (ok, 5) of Pixy lip balms in the bottom. Obsessed is not the word. I can't wait to try out the bits I got and report back!

So there you have it, my day at the Irish Beauty Show. I got to meet some really lovely people and was so lucky to be given some things to try and nab a few lovey things too. I can't wait for next years show and to try out  everything I got at the show. Me-oh-my I am going to be one purtty lady! I also want to mention the lovely girls at the Jessica stand who answered all my questions and the same for the lovely girl at the Pink Distributions stand who was full of information for me. And finally Tara and Michael at the Powder Pocket  stand, they were fab craic and I love their beauty box so uber much, thank lads!

Make sure and have a goo at my Twitter page, I tweeted for the whole day and have some extra photos up there that aren't here. One includes a lovely naked but sadly painted guy. Meow ;) Check it all out Over Here. and sure maybe follow me too!

Updated Nail Varnish Storage

Last year I did a little post on my nail varnish storage over here, but today I'm back again with something much prettier but less functional. I have seen many a blogger do a show and tell with something similar looking. Lovely big jars filled with pretty polishes to make your heart skip a beat. (I'm dramatic about my nail varnish, shoot me!)  Isn't it just so pretty!? It makes a gorgeous ornament while showing off some colours in your collection.

I bought this jar in Dunnes for about €3.50 a few weeks ago in the home ware section. Its really big, holding around 15 polishes and the lid is easy to get off but closes tightly too. Added bonus of a cute red and white checkered ribbon to finish the look off.

It is kind of a pain to have to dump out all your polishes to find the one your looking for but I get to have a good look at everything I have just in case I forget about something and it gives the polishes a bit of a shake and move about so they aren't just left sitting to settle all the gooy good things to the bottom of the jars. I keep all my 'posh' and most loved ones in this jar, don't think I don't have another box filled up in the press with lots more!

What do you think of this way of storing your nail varnishes? How do you keep yours?

February Favourites

Sweet divine Jasus is it really the end of February? Ah now, where did that month go? thats just woeful, I'm actually sitting here trying to think what I did this month thats worth noting. Feck all. Have to do more next month, get my arse into action. Anyway, here is what I have been loving this month and its even kinda on time, ohhh my!!

I know I talked about it in my Skin Care Saviors  but I really have to tell you about it again. Bepantiseptic (formally known as Germoline) is a first aid antiseptic cream that has local anesthetic in it. Its great to have in a first aid kit and its even better to have on your spots at night. The last two months my skin has decided to apply for position of best join the dots face in the country and I'll tell you, if it wasn't for this wonderful tube of cream, it would have got the job. This cream drys out spots and in a few hours you can see a noticeable difference. I normally put this on last thing before bed and then let it work its magic. All for under a fiver and it lasts ages. I just want them all. 

Next is Wet'n'Wilds foundation. I had wanted it since it came out but put off buying it because it was nearly €5, I already had a good foundation and sure, it was a cheap brand, I bet it doesn't even work or match my colouring... I caved in and got it earlier in the month and I've been kicking myself since for not having got it sooner. Its in the lightest shade they have which is just slightly too dark for me, but with a bit of blending and some setting powder its the perfect colour for my skin. It takes a minute or so to dry and set but it lasts all day, the coverage is amazing and I will admit, its better then my Rimmel match perfection foundation that I have been using for the past 6ish months thats twice the price of Wet'n'Wilds foundation. It might be true love, I'll tell you if we decide to get serious in the next few months.

Next is a perfume that I had forgotten about at the back of the draw, I'm getting worst at doing that! Its Kylie Minogues Darling. I'm so not good at describing scents at all, but its like a deep sweet scent that drys in quickly so your left with a gorgeous light soft sweet scent that lingers for a good for hours. The little bottle that I have is so pretty and girly, it has a pink shimmer over the bottle thats so eye catching. I'll be getting this again once I've finished the little bottle.

Another life saver this month has to be my Soap and Glory Smooch Operator Lip Butter Balm. It has wild mango butter, vitamin E, rose hip and argan oils to help sore chapped lips. The only thing I don't like about this is the balm can be quite had to heat up to get some out of the little jar so I tend to have to dig at it a bit. Not the handiest or nicest thing in the world!

How could I not throw in something from Lush? As the weeks go by I'm getting weaker and really want to go to their shop 'just for a look'. The blurry photo (sorry) above is the olive branch shower gel. I got this ages ago, used it for a while and the switiched it for something else. But early February I found it again and it has been coming to the shower again and were back in love, Fair trade olive oil, mandarins, vine leaves.. Who could say no to that? Its sweet but not overpowering and has subtle notes of something more earthy underneath - would you look at me getting all fancy with smell descriptions! Jasus!

La Roche-Posay is a brand I don't use a lot, but when I do their products are always amazing. Last month I got this thermal spring water in my Powder Pocket beauty box and I've been using it loads. You can see my review of it here. Its going to be great for the summer when you want a quick freshen up and to cool yourself down. I'll be stocking up for the hotter (fingers crossed that it gets hotter!) months.

Lastly I have my Benefit they're real! mascara. I got this mini one in a set at Christmas and I haven't used another mascara since. I'm now ruined for other mascaras that might come along to tempt me. I love the packaging, the wand is amazing and I love how it coats and separates the lashes. And best of all theres no clumping so it doesn't look like you have just plastered half a tube of mascara on your face. Honestly, I'm not wearing any! ;D