The Pro Hygiene Collection Brush Cleaner Review

I was in the market for a brush cleanser shortly after Christmas I had figured my only option was the MAC one. After a bit of searching around I came across a few recommendations for The Pro Hygiene Collection Brush Cleaner. I popped over to FeelUnique and decided for €11.70 it was better value for money than the MAC Brush Cleanser even with shipping.

This brush cleaner states that it's an "antibacterial sanatiser for natural and synthetic brushes". It claims to kill 99.99% of bacteria, remove product residue, oils and pigment.
It directs you to spray straight onto your brush from 15-20cm away and then wipe your brush with a tissue and leave to dry for a few minutes.

I've dirtied up a few brushes so lets test it out.

As you can see, any product just melts out of the brushes and wipes straight off. It has a slight citrus scent but in general it smells... clean and professional. (scent describing is not my strong suit)
It dries within a couple of minutes and leaves your brushes soft and feeling brand new.
I don't know if it really does kill all that bacteria but I know that I've had no breakouts since I started using this.
After using this for the past couple of months, I have to say, it really does work.
It's a perfect product for spot cleaning your brushes after each use and with 240ml, it's going to last quite a while. I recommend still deep cleaning your brushes once a week.
I would definitely recommend this and I can imagine I will be repurchasing.
If you're looking for a brush cleaner, I hope this helped you in the decision making process. :)
Let me know if you have this brush cleaner, are planning to get it or if you have a product you prefer to use for cleaning your brushes.
If you'd like to know anything further just ask.
Thanks for reading ♥  

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~Double~ Liebster Award Nomination

I got home the other day exhausted after a full day of travelling by bus through flooded towns to find out that Hannah from justbeinghannah had nominated me for a Leibster Award.
Then the lovely Jade from JadeAmberRose nominated me for as well!
This award is given to bloggers with less than 200 followers. When nominated you answer 11 questions that the person who nominated you has made up, then make up 11 questions of your own and nominate other bloggers to answer those questions. (How many times can you put the word "nominate" in one sentence?!)
Okay lets get down to business...

First up are Hannah's questions:

1. What first made you want to start a blog?

I love reading beauty blogs and watching beauty vloggers. One day I realised that my combined love of beauty, English and making my opinion known was a pretty good base for blogging. I decided to take the plunge late last year and haven't looked back.

2. What was your first high-end beauty buy?

That would be a MAC 217 brush that I payed €24 for. 

3. If you could only shop in one clothes shop for the rest if your life what would it be?

I think I'd have to say Penneys/Primark. All their clothes are reasonably priced and they cater for most styles and sizes.

4. If on one of your day off you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Lima, Peru for sure, as long as I didn't have to fly because I'm terrified of both flying an heights.

5. Dogs or Cats?

DOGS

6. Starter or Dessert?

Dessert :) 

7. Shower or Bath?

Shower with the occasional bath :)

8. Chinese or Indian?

Chinese

9. Favourite childhood sweet/chocolate? 

I have no clue what they're called but I used to love these little chocolate spaceships with strawberry yogurt inside. I'd do almost anything to eat them again!

10. What Disney Character are you most like?

Without getting too deep and personal I'd have to say I relate a lot to Elsa from Frozen (so obsessed with this movie haha)

11. What was your favourite film of last year?

Monster's University 

Now for Jade's questions:

1. What is your all time favourite band/artist?

That's a tricky one as I can never pick just one. I'd have to say Jon McLaughlin and Regina Spektor.

2. Who was the first blogger you started to read?

I think it was either Tanya Burr or Fleur de Force

3. What's your favourite holiday?

Halloween!

4. Tell us an embarrassing story?

The majority of my life is an embarrasing story... I was once playing hide and seek in a park and peed myself while hiding behind a bush. Yep.

5. Favourite high end product?

I tend not to buy that many high end products but out of my small collection I'd probably pick MAC All That Glitters

6.  Favourite drugstore product?

Maybeline The Falsies mascara 

7. One word to describe you:

Articulate

8.  What do you enjoy about blogging?

Picking new products to review, building up connections with other bloggers, the whole post writing experience.

9. Favourite young adult/children's book?

The Owl and the Pussycat or My Cat Likes to Hide in Boxes

10.  Favourite drink?

Water (how boring)

11. Your favourite piece in your wardrobe?

This changes a lot but right now probably a floral button up skirt I got for a major discount in New Look

Okay that's all the questions done, before I move on I just want to give another massive thanks to Hannah  for being mega sweet and you guys should definitely check out her blog. :) Also please go take a look at Jade's blog because she's lovely <3

I nominate: 

thebeautifultruthie.blogspot.ie

anitasbeautyspot.blogspot.ie/

beautybaggage.blogspot.ie

ahsuretislovely.wordpress.com

beautiflaura.blogspot.co.uk

Now for the questions... 

1. If you had to use one drugstore brand makeup for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

2. Tea or Coffee? 

3. Do you have any hidden talents? 

4. What's your favourite colour for interior decorating? 

5. Favourite scent of candle? 

6. What's the best thing you've ever eaten that you thought you would hate? 

7. Favourite smoothie? 

8. Do you have any pets? 

9. Where is your favourite place to visit? 

10. Staying In or Going Out? 

11. Worst movie you've ever seen? 

Now it's your turn to answer my questions and make up your own and also nominate the next bloggers. 

Enjoy :) 

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Weekend in Cork Haul

You may have noticed that I'm a day or so late with this weeks post. That's because I just arrived home from Cork last night after spending the weekend celebrating my cousin's birthday. I had planned to do a little "weekend away" post but the night before I left my camera decided to break.

I hadn't planned to go shopping at all but we made a "quick" trip into Penneys for "underwear" and one thing led to another... I then encountered a Wet 'n Wild stand in Dunnes on my way to the bus station and got very excited and picked up a few bits that caught my eye. Now this is a haul post.

I love buttoned blouses with collars but have a very had time finding any that fit across my chest without also being 3 sizes too big everywhere else. I found these 2 tops with collars and buttons down the front, however these guys aren't actual button ups so I don't have to worry about them bulging at the seams. I'm also someone who buys an item in every colour if I find something I like so I picked it up in black and cream.

They're full length, just folded over for the pictre. €8 each

Being a total sucker for black boots, I saw these guys on the sale stand marked down from €20 to €9, obviously I couldn't just leave them there. I love the buckles and the hooked eyelets.

I was very happy to find a pack of 40 seamless hair ties for €1.50 as opposed to the usual pack of 14 that I spend €3.70+ on in Superdrug. I also picked up another pair of tights and the intended underwear (you guys don't really need to see that though).

I got these few items from the Wet n Wild stand:

• Cover All concealer palette which I'm looking forward to comparing to my Catrice All Round concealer palette. This one has a pink section for any blue toned skin corrections, a green section for any redness, a shimmery white section for highlighting and a beige coloured section for general concealing.
• Megaslicks Balm Stain lip crayon in the shade Red-dy or Not
• Coloricon Blusher in the shade Mellow Wine
• Megalast Nail Color in the shade Through the Grapevine 
• Juicy Lip Balm in the flavour Watermelon. My main reason for picking this up was that it reminded me so much of these giant Lip Smackers my sister and I got in America.

I haven't opened or tried any of them so feel free to let me know if you have any of them and what you think.

Last but not least is my Naked Palette and Naked Palette 2. I didn't technically buy these in Cork  but they did arrive while I was away so they can go in here too. I can't wait to start using them!

Thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got over the weekend and I'll talk to you all soon. :)

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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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