DIY Honey and Cinnamon Face Mask

Today I'm going to show you how to make an extremely easy DIY honey and cinnamon face mask.

This is suitable for any skin type including sensitive, acne prone and dry.

Honey has many beneficial properties. It's both hydrating and antibacterial. It helps to reduce redness and inflammation, clear up your skin and, with regular use, prevent breakouts.
The reason behind the cinnamon is to increase bloodflow to your face. This helps to encourage collagen production to keep your skin looking plump and healthy.
This face mask is incredibly easy to make and leaves your skin silky smooth, clean and hydrated.
To make this mask all you need is some organic honey and ground cinnamon.

First take one heaped teaspoon of honey and a half to a full teaspoon of cinnamon.

I tend to just play it by eye when making this, there's no need for exact measurements.

Next you just mix it up until you've got a thick, slightly runny paste. You can pop this in the microwave for maximum heating but I just use it as is.

Before you apply, you'll want to cleanse your face of any make-up or dirt.
Now you can go ahead and apply it using whatever method you prefer. I tend to use the spoon that I mixed the mask with but you can use your hands or a clean foundation brush.
Leave it on for 10-20 minutes while you relax.
To remove the mask use warm water and your fingers or a face cloth. Once your skin is squeaky clean, splash with cold water and dab dry with a clean towel.
The honey will sink into your skin and continue to work it's magic over the next few hours.
Your face will be moderately to extremely red once you've washed this off depending on the amount of cinnamon you added but that's nothing to worry about provided it dies down within the hour.
You can do this mask up to twice a week or, like me, whenever you remember.
I've been doing this mask on and off since November and I have to say, my skin has improved immensely. I don't have acne prone skin but since using this mask, I've noticed the amount of silly breakouts has reduced by more than half.
I really recommend giving this a try if your skin needs a little TLC. You can include this as part of your weekly pamper routine or mix up a big batch with your friends during a girly night in.

Let me know if you decide to give it a try and tell me what you think of it. :)

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L'oreal Mega Volume Miss Manga Mascara Review

I don't know where to begin with this mascara. I loved the results but disliked everything else about it.
I'm just going to break it down so that you can see just what I thought of it.

Miss Manga features a 360 degree flexible conical wand meant for "effortless application".

I have no idea why they included this feature because other than being completely pointless, it makes for such a messy application. The wand bounces as you run it through your lashes so it splashes around your face. This flexible wand is the main selling point of this mascara and unfortunately, also it's downfall.

This mascara is formulated with "collagen spheres and polymers for ultimate volume and hold", both of which it delivers. It's buildable if you work quickly but if you allow one layer to dry before moving on to the next, it will become clumpy.

I found it quite difficult to apply to my lower lashes. It's as if it just wouldn't stick to them and by the end I had more mascara on my eye area than my lashes. I'm putting the mess down to the fact that I'm used to a spoon shaped wand though.

The first time I used this, I had to redo my left eye twice. Rather than my lashes fanning out, they stuck together and managed to produce 5 very thick lashes. I'm blaming the wobbly wand for this.
Even though I really didn't enjoy anything about using this mascara, the results were pretty amazing.

With the help of a Q-Tip to remove any mess, I was left with long, defined, thick lashes. I asked a few friends and family members what they thought and everyone agreed that my lashes looked wonderful.

Depending on how much lash action you like going on, this would be ideal for a smokey eye look or a night out.

I doubt I'll be repurchasing this when it runs out just because of the bendy wand. I love the formula and the results, I just didn't get on well with the application process.

Have you tried this mascara? How did you like it? Let me know in the comments. :) 

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What's in my Bag

I love seeing what other people are carrying in there bags because, lets face it, I'm pretty nosy.

Today I'm going to run through what I carry with me on a trip into town or when I'm out and about in general. Depending on where I'm going, the contents of my bag will vary.

I try not to carry too many unnecessary items because there's nothing as embarrassing as pulling out your purse and having a plastic spoon go flying at the person behind the cash register. Yes that has happened to me. Lets move on.

In the front pouch of my bag you will find a daily planner, passport and pen. I'm constantly back and forth between doctors so it's really handy for me to be able to quickly jot down an appointment or make sure I'm free on a certain date. I prefer this to using my phone's calendar because I know it's not going to glitch and delete all my times and dates. 

In the main section of my bag a.k.a the abyss, you will find all the things I probably don't need but carry anyway. 

At the moment I'm carrying:

A tube of Soap&Glory Hand Food to keep my hands from getting too dry.

My purse which was a gift and is probably 4 years old but I can never find one that's as nice to use. 

A pair of gloves because my hands are always freezing. 

A mini hand sanitiser because not everybody who uses the bathroom also washes their hands. 

A nail file in it's own little case from Penneys which is so handy because it doesn't snag on anything inside my bag. 

My phone charger because my phone battery is horrendous. 

A little zip bag with my painkillers etc. inside that came as a freebie on a magazine.

My Tangle Teezer for any hair brushing needs.

 Finally in the inside pouch I carry all the little bits and bobs I need easy access to. 

In here I usually carry a hand mirror, chewing gum, gogo for my hair, lip balm and whatever lip product I'm using that day.

My cute fox bag was a Christmas present from my grandma and I'm not sure where it came from but I know it was just under €40 because she left the price tag on. 

I hope you've enjoyed snooping inside my handbag. Let me know if you carry anything a bit odd in your bag or if the contents of your handbag are completely different to mine. 

Thanks for reading :) ♥ 

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2013 Favourites

Hey guys!
Today I've decided to share with you a few of my beauty favourites from 2013.

I'm not going to do an in depth review of each item or I'd be typing until next year but I will tell you what's made them special enough to make it to this list.

1. Maybeline The Falsies/The Falsies Flared

The Falsies has been my go-to mascara for the majority of this year. It seperates your lashes so well and gives amazing length. I really can't fault it. I recently went to get a new tube but literally everywhere was sold out. I ended up picking up The Falsies Flared and boy am I glad I did! Much like the regular Falsies, it has a spoon brush, however it's a 2 step mascara. You coat your lashes like normal then flip the brush over to add "flare".  It creates beautifully defined lashes without clumping just like the original version. Unless someone can top these two, I can imagine myself writing about them in my 2014 favourites.

2. Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder

This powder has been a staple in my make-up bag for about 4 years now. It does exactly what it says on the tin. I use the shade 001 Transparent to set my foundation without adding any unwanted colour. I only ever have to touch it up if I've been out all day and I'm heading out again later. I love this powder because it's non caking, long lasting and gives a flawless finish.

3. Rimmel Match Perfection Foundation

This light to medium coverage foundation gives a flawless finish and is only slightly dewy. Much like the Wake Me Up foundation, it contains light reflecting pigments. Unlike the Wake Me Up foundtion, it doesn't make you look like you're melting. I love this foundation. Even though it's a heavier coverage than I'm used to, once buffed in, it's virtually undetectable.

4. MAC All That Glitters

I love this eyeshadow. It's incredibly versatile. It's buildable and blendable, works brilliantly with a flick of liquid liner or on its own with a sweep of mascara. What I love the most about this eyeshadow is it's staying power. I find it lasts equally as long without a primer as with. Perfect if you like to keep it simple on your lids.

5. Real Techniques Buffing Brush

If you're looking to try out a buffing brush then this is the one I would recommend. This is another item I can't fault. It blends your foundation beautifully, it's really easy to use and it's great quality. I love the Real Techniques Core Collection but I can easily say that the buffing brush is my favourite.

6. Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge

I purchased this sponge at the beginning of the year and within a few days I knew I'd still be using it months down the line. It's so soft and possesses the most amazing blending powers when wet. I use the flat side of the sponge to dab on my powder after I buff in my foundation. I love the finish it gives as opposed to using a powder brush. You can add more powder where you want it without worrying about wiping off your foundation or looking caked.

7. Sweet Almond Oil

I've been using sweet almond oil on my face once a week at bedtime since last year. After cleansing, I apply a small amount to my face, focusing under my eyes and on any dryness which is usually in and around the nose area. I find it really helps to hydrate your skin and combat any fine lines caused by dehydration under the eyes. I recommend this stuff to anyone who'll listen.

8. Tangle Teezer

I haven't used a regular hairbrush since purchasing my Tangle Teezer. I don't know what to say about it other than "try it!". It glides through almost all hair types, doesn't tug or pull no matter how windswept your locks are and it gives your hair a finish that I've never had with any hairbrush. You can use it on wet and dry hair without a problem. I've never had it pull my hair and I've used it after some pretty intense days on the beach.

I recommend all of the above to any of you. It takes a lot for me to say I love a product but I truly do love all of these.
I'm looking forward to seeing what new products I can add to my list over the next few months.
Please let me know if there's any products that you've been enjoying so I can check them out. :)

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