NOTD - Barry M Gelly - Cardamom

You all knew I couldn't go two weeks in a row without using a Barry M polish.
Today's post is a Gelly which I haven't used in a while so I guess it's a little different than usual... ahem.

Cardamom is a lovely forest green that's slightly muted. It's part of the 2014 Autumn collection which contains a lovely grey, brown, rust, mustard and red. Unfortunately, my skin is so yellow/green, the shades I like the look of clash horribly on me. Thankfully, this looks lovely on.
Can I just point out, green is my least favourite colour in the world so the fact that I actually like this really says something for the shade.

Barry M Gellies usually last at least four days without a topcoat.

I didn't put a topcoat on for these pictures so you could see how much of a high shine it has.

It needs two thin coats for full opacity but one heavy layer will do if you're in a rush. I just find it doesn't dry very well if you just glob it on. 

I love this polish because it steps away from the burgundies and purples we've been wearing all winter but it's not quite the mint green we'll reach for in Spring. It's a lovely transition colour while still being dark and wintry.

Let me know what you think of this polish or if you have it and how you like it.

Thanks for reading! :) ♥

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NYX Butter Glosses

I need to start off by saying I don't do lipgloss. I'm much more of a matte lip/slightly cream finish girl.

I had heard so many great things about the NYX Butter Glosses that when NYX came to Ireland, I knew I had to try them. 

The reviews weren't wrong, these are a game changer in the lipgloss world.

I currently have four Butter Glosses (two courtesy of Danielle) and I love all of them.

Every gloss sits comfortably on the lips, it almost feels like they sink in and you don't notice them anymore. 

They all smell very sweet but not sickly, I can't stand sickly sweet smells on lip products but these don't bother me.

I couldn't take pictures of them on my lips as they're in a total state from being sick for the past two weeks with the sinus infection that just won't quit but I did swatch them on my hand.

Vanilla Cream Pie

This is a light pink, perfect for everyday wear kind of shade. 

Creme Brulee

This is a more nude shade than Vanilla Cream Pie but it's still slightly pinky. It's very flattering if you're wearing bold eye makeup.

Devil's Food Cake

This is my favourite of the four. It's a dark berry purple that can be sheered out or built up. It's perfect if you don't want the commitment of a bold lipstick.

Red Velvet 

This is a bright red shade and can be built up or sheered out like Devil's Food Cake. It actually looks a lot lighter on me than I expected but it's still gorgeous. 

Overall, I'm very impressed with these little guys.

If you want to try wearing lipgloss but you really aren't feeling the sticky mess situation, you should give these a try.

They're around €7 so they aren't really cheap as far as lipgloss goes but I do plan on buying some more.

Let me know if you've tried these and if you're a fan. Do you love or hate lipgloss?

Thanks for reading! :) ♥

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W7 Absolute Lashes Mascara

I've mentioned this mascara a few times now but I thought it was time for it to have it's own post.

Straight away, you can see the packaging is the exact same as Benefit They're Real Mascara. The brush is the exact same style and the formula is very similar too. I actually prefer the formula of this mascara as it doesn't start out as wet as They're Real and therefore, doesn't dry out as drastically.
I already said this in my 2014 Favourites but I don't really like the Benefit mascara.
I do love this W7 one though.

The brush is plastic which I usually don't like as I find them a bit rough on the eye but I've gotten used to it at this point so it's not an issue for me at all.

The brush has a rounded end with tiny bristles which is perfect for getting your outer and bottom lashes.

I have quite good lashes so I like to use a mascara that will show that but also add a little something so they look slightly fake. I know that's not everyone's cup of tea but I really like that look. 

However, I don't want to have to apply three or four layers to get it. Thankfully, I can achieve that look very quickly and with only a couple of coats of this mascara.

apologies for the inner camera pic 

This mascara doesn't flake off or smudge. I've never had it run under my eyes and I'm a constant eye streamer!

If you're looking for a budget mascara that can give you all the benefits (SEE WHAT I DID THERE?!) of a high end one, I suggest giving this a try! For around €9, it isn't as cheap as Essence or Catrice but it's a heck of a lot cheaper than They're Real!

Have you ever tried this? Are you a fan of They're Real Mascara? Let me know!

Thanks for reading :) ♥

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NOTD: Rimmel Salon Pro - Yestergrey

Today's nail polish pick is a strange one for me.
I don't usually wear grey nail polish but Yestergrey is such a strange shade. It looks grey but brown and green, depending on the lighting.

The Salon Pro polishes have Lycra in the formula so they're meant to last up to 10 days. In my experience, they last about two days without chipping (without a topcoat).
I put some Barry M clear polish under and over this and it seems to have helped prolong the wear time to 4 days.

The brush is quite wide and dense. My finger nails are very small so they do get a little lost under the brush but that's not a big deal as I'm well used to it by now! 

I got this in Dealz so it was only €1.49. I wouldn't spend the full price of nearly €7 on these just because I know they don't actually last 10 days but I'd happily buy more at €1.49! 

Have you tried any of the Salon Pro polishes? 

Thanks for reading! :) ♥

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Disappointing Products

I think I'm becoming fussy in my old age. I've been finding myself increasingly underwhelmed and straight up disappointed by so many products lately. What better way to moan about them than through a post! 

Herbal Essences Nearly Naked Dry Shampoo:

I got this in Boots when I was in Dublin because I'd forgotten to bring my shampoo and conditioner with me and there was no way I was using the hotel "conditioning shampoo". It was on sale for €1.99 so I decided to get it. All I can say is I'm thankful I was only on second day hair because if it had been truly greasy, I would have had to go wash this gunk out. It made my hair sticky and it looked and felt so greasy! If I had of just left it the way it was, it would have looked fine. This did the opposite of what dry shampoo should. I think it would make an okay texturising spray but I will NEVER be using this again.

Wet n Wild Cover All Concealer Palette:

I got this when Wet n Wild first launched in Ireland. I really like the Catrice All Round concealer palette and this looked very similar so I wanted to give it a try. 

The formula of the pink and green correctors is very creamy but a little too creamy. It creases and cakes and looks a mess. The concealer is the wrong shade for any human I've ever encountered. It literally looks like a cream contour shade in real life. I love the idea of including a highlighter but it's gritty and just doesn't blend in well. Overall, this was a waste of money but it did come in handy for Halloween makeup.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Duo+:

I really didn't get on with this at all. I have mainly dry skin so to even cover my face I had to squeeze out half the tube! It's also meant to help clear up your skin... It broke me out. After a couple of days of not using it, my skin calmed down completely. You guys know how much I adore the Effaclar Gel Face Wash so you can imagine my disappointment when this didn't work for me. 

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette:

I got this before they released the new range of shades but after my experience with it, I wouldn't even be bothered trying the others. The bronzer is bright orange, it looks awful against my skintone. The blush is quite pretty in the pan but on my face is another story. The highlighter is okay but I'd much rather reach for a different one. I looked like a creepy China doll when I used all three of these together even after using a light hand and blending them all at the end. 

Ziaja SenSitiVe Micellar Water:

I recently mentioned the Ziaja SenSitiVe moisturisers in my 2014 Favourites so I am quite a fan of the range. I got the Micellar Water free with the day cream which  means I didn't actually waste my money on it. I find it isn't strong enough to get through the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer or a long wearing lipstick. As for eye makeup, AVOID! It stings like nothing I've ever experienced before. I makes my eye area red and irritated and it burns so much that I've actually ended up on the bathroom floor, squeezing my eyes until the pain passed and I could see again. The only reason the bottle is almost empty is that I've been using it to get the bulk of my face makeup off before cleansing. I probably won't finish it though and I sure won't be repurchasing it! 

I'll stop giving out now! Have any of you tried any of these products? What did you make of them?

Let me know what products have seriously let you down recently!

Thanks for reading! :) ♥

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2014 Favourites

It feels like a few weeks ago that I was writing up my 2013 Favourites. I was only a little blogging baby back then and I cannot believe how many incredible things have happened since then. I can honestly say starting this blog is one of the best decisions of my life.

Today I have a few of my favourite products from 2014 to share with you. I've actually retaken the photos for this post three times because I just couldn't whittle it down to a small enough amount to make this post readable! I think I got it right this time though.

For makeup, there's been a lot of new releases I've really enjoyed but there's definitely a few stand out products in my collection that I've used consistently throughout the year.

Maybelline The Falsies Volumn' Express Waterproof Mascara:
This is my Holy Grail mascara. I don't throw that term around a lot so when I use it, I really mean it. This was actually in my 2013 Favourites (not this tube...) and I mentioned that I'd probably be writing about it at the end of 2014 and here I am. This mascara is just amazing for volume, length, separation and holding a curl. Just get it if you were considering it!

W7 Absolute Lashes Mascara:
I've been loving this mascara so much, you can tell by looking at it that it's being marketed as a dupe for Benefit's They're Real Mascara. I have to say, the brush is the exact same and the formula is very similar - very wet at first but then dries slightly over time. I personally don't like They're Real and for under €10, this will do me nicely.

Benefit Gimme Brow in Medium/Dark:
This has made doing my brows so easy. It's just a tiny little mascara for your eyebrows that contains fibres and pigment to shape and fill. Now, it is quite pricey at €19 so I might have a little look for a cheaper version but I would honestly buy it again if I couldn't find a dupe.

L'Oreal True Match Foundation in W3:
I have such a hard time finding a foundation that isn't pink toned because my skin is iridescent green and yellow. Now, the shade W3 is still quite pink for me but with powder and a bit of bronzer on top, it seems to match my skin tone quite well. I will continue my search for the perfect foundation but while I'm at it, this will work just fine.

Soap&Glory One Heck of a Blot:
I've mentioned this before quite a few times but it's honestly my favourite setting powder. It's lightweight with little-to-no colour payoff, it doesn't cake and it's great for setting concealer.

The Pro Hygiene Collection Brush Cleaner:
I did a ful review of this waaaay back here if you'd like to read it. This brush cleaner is amazing for spot cleaning and disinfecting your brushes. It dries within a couple of minutes so you can go straight back in if you're doing eyeshadow and you need a clean blending brush or if you went a little ham on the blush and you need to get it off the brush before it does any more damage. I have extremely sensitive skin and I've never had an issue with using my brushes after using this.

Barry M Nail Paints:
Barry M is my obsession when it comes to nail polish. They have an amazing range of colours that can only be created by them. They stay on for at least 4 days and even longer with a their topcoat.

This year has been a roller coaster for my skin as I magically developed eczema that spread until I was so disgusted by my face, I wouldn't look in the mirror. Thankfully, it's gone and I've only been left with minimal scaring but a lot of really helpful products!

Ziaja SenSitiVe Soothing Day Cream:
I love this day cream because it's so lightweight but very moisturising. It contains SPF 20 and has no mineral oil, silicones or perfume. It's perfect for my sensitive and reactive skin.

Ziaja SenSitiVe Firming Night Cream:
This is another very lightweight moisturiser that still manages to really hydrate your skin. I love the combo of these two creams because they haven't flared up any eczema or given me any sort of reaction.

La Roche Posay Effeclar Purifying Foaming Gel:
I'm obsessed with this face wash. It's so gentle but still really cleanses the skin. This is meant for oily skin which I don't really have but it's not harsh at all so I'm happy to keep using it. I will continue to repurchase this until they can cure eczema and it doesn't matter what products I use on my face!

Avene Eau Thermal:
This spray is a lifesaver. Between calming my skin when I'm having a reaction to cooling me down in the summer, I can't get enough of this. I seriously give this and the Vichy Eau Thermal credit for clearing up my eczema (how many times can I say eczema? eczema). This is another product I will continue to repurchase.

Nuxe Reve de Miel Lip Balm:
This stuff saved my lips from a life of bleeding, cracking and burning. The weather really takes a toll on my lips so using this over the colder months has made it possible to wear even the most dryng, matte lip products without a flake in sight. I love this so much and it will also be on the repurchase list!

The Wet Brush:
I know this isn't skin care but I'll include it here anyway.
I'm a Tangle Teezer girl and I hadn't used a hairbrush for a good 9 months when I was sent this. I wasn't expecting much, I mean it's a hairbrush. I have to say, I've been pleasantly surprised. The bristles are so flexible that there's no pulling or tugging when brushing out my three day, unwashed, bun knotted mess of frizz. I don't think I'll ever prefer this over a Tangle Teezer but it's a very close second and I will continue to use it, especially during heat styling and on wet hair.You can purchase The Wet Brush from Sally stores nationwide or online at sallyexpress.com. You can also check out The Wet Brush website here.

And that's all! Well done if you're still with me.
Please let me know if you'd like full posts on any of the things I mentioned as I'd be happy to write them.

I hope you all had a great 2014 but lets make 2015 even better.

Normal posting schedule will resume next week.

Thanks for reading! :) ♥

Some of these items were sent to me for review but all opinions are my own as always! 

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