My MAC Must Haves

My MAC Must Haves 

Hello again! I decided to do a My MAC Must Haves for this blog post simply because these are my favorite posts to read! I love MAC it's where my obsession with makeup started and no matter what brands I move onto I'll always go back to MAC. Im like a kid in a candy store the minute I walk in there! I hope you enjoy this post, and sorry in advance for the terrible photo's I'm currently using my iPhone to capture these snaps!!

I'm going to start off with eyeshadows. Now I couldn't choose favorites with these. For me MAC eyeshadows are all amazing. They have every shade you can think off, every finish. They are all too die for. Basically all my MAC eyeshadows are in palette's I made myself! So instead of naming a few I thought id throw them all in and maybe at a later stage I could do an in depth post about them all individually. 

An extra two I just wanted to throw in because they are stunning are the MAC Pressed Pigments. I have a few of these and to be honest don't reach for them enough and I have no idea why because they are fab! They are a little more pricey than the regular shadows but they are stunning. These two shades are in 'Gilt By Association' & 'Light Touch'

'Gilt By Association' & 'Light Touch'

Speaking of pigments I had to include these next two. MAC 'Vanilla' & 'Tan' pigments. These are such must haves. Vanilla can be used as a highlight on the cupids bow, top of the cheek bones, under the brow, in the inner tear duct or another way I love using it is mix a bit in with my foundation to just give a stunning glow! With Tan I use it with a squirt of Fix Plus and it glides on stunningly onto the lid. It looks like you had spent hours doing your eyes when in reality its so effortless! These last forever and a little goes a very long way. If you're looking for something different 100% check these out! They come in so many different shades.

'Vanilla' & 'Tan'

Two eyeliners I had to throw in are MAC 'Coffee' and 'Feline', These are both pencil eyeliners and I love using them half way in on my waterline! Coffee is more of a hard pencil and it is exactly like a rich Coffee colour. Where as Feline is a waterproof super black liner. Feline is so stunning at night time with a smokey eye. 

MAC 'Coffee' & 'Feline' Eyeliners

Lastly on the topic of eyes is a product I have spoken about before. It is MAC 'Painterly' Paint pot. I first heard about this product a few years back from EssieButton on Youtube and in the video she couldn't say enough good things about this product, so when I saw it in person I was confused it similar to a foundation colour and I really didn't get the huge hype around it. Until I bought it, that is! I love this product It is a skin colour'd eyeshadow base, a little goes a long way. I just use my fingers to apply this on my lid and pop eyeshadow on top and it makes your eyeshadow last for daysss. Not that you would ever want it to last for days, but you get my drift! I also pop this on even when I'm wearing very light makeup and no eyeshadow just to even out the colour on my lids, hiding those blue veins and it just makes you look more awake! It honestly does not look like much but I love it and always notice a difference when I don't have it on!

'Painterly' Paint Pot

I think it's time to move onto face products. This product is my Holy Grail Foundation. I know not too many people like this foundation. I have tried to find one I love as much as this and after years of trying I still can't. I use to wear a super dark colour in my teen days but since decided to opt for one of the lightest shades for a more natural look instead of trying to look like I had applied muck to my face. Even when I am wearing self tan I will still use this shade but just bronze it up! It is heavy coverage and has broken me out a few times but it is worth it in my opinion. It looks so good in photo's, and it lasts forever. I would only really wear this at night time, I find it way to heavy for day time, not that it looks cakey or like wow look at her face but for day time I like a more natural dewy look. I wore this to my cousin's wedding back in April and didn't have to fix it once, it lasted all day and night. I have normal to dry skin and I haven't ever noticed it clinging to dry patches, but I have heard people with Oily Skin say they look like they had a stream down their face after a few hours of wear. My best advice is go in and get a sample pot and try it out! You won't regret it!

MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC15

The next product is also a face product, It is MAC Pro-Longwear concealer. Usually I find, products with massive hype around them don't ever live up to expectation. But, in this case this product 10000% does. I have spoken about it before and it's just great. Lovely concealer, doesn't crease under the eye, lasts a very long time, covers everything, easy to blend. I love the packaging I know not everyone does but I love a good pump with liquids. This concealer always does the job for me. Massive thumbs up time and time again.

MAC Pro-Longwear Concealer in NC15 

Next is two products I have already mentioned so Im not going to go into too much detail. They are MAC 'Strobe Cream' & 'Fix Plus'. These have become staples for me, I use Strobe cream as a base with either my foundation or primer! I know you can also pop it on over your foundation, I haven't been so brave to do that yet though! Fix Plus another fav of mine. This looks stunning when used with eyeshadows or even on a foundation brush pre application. One word FLAWLESS! Even to spritz it all over your face with or without makeup it's so hydrating and refreshing!

MAC Fix Plus & Strobe Cream

Sorry about the awful photography!!

Lastly with face products is my favorite items...Highlighters! My two MAC fav's have to be 'Soft and Gentle' Which is a mineralise skinfinish and 'Pearl' which is a cream base. Out of the two I have to say I prefer using Soft and Gentle it's a powder base instead of cream and I find it easier to use. In saying that Pearl is stunning for night time and makes you just glow! 

MAC 'Soft & Gentle'

MAC 'Pearl'

Lastly...Lips! I just love a good nude lip. It was very hard to narrow lipstick's down to my few favorites so I just went with my most used ones. The ones I chose were 'Angel', 'Modesty', 'Pink Plaid' and 'Brave' These are all quite similar, all have the pinky nude vibe. But I love them, I have to say my absolute favorite is 'Modesty' I'm on my second one now and I love it too much. I just think it look's good no matter what look im going for. While I'm on the topic, I may as well throw in liner's and I chose two that I go back to time and time again, one's a new purchases and one is a much older but still have so much love for them! MAC 'Spice' & 'Soar'. I originally 'needed' them after the whole Kylie Jenner lip saga. I am still waiting for MAC to collab with her...I mean I would say she put a massive dent in their sales the last year and a bit when she name dropped a few of her fav lipliner and lipstick from MAC to get her massive pout. Anyway enough about Kylie Jenner, these lipsticks and lipliners are so versatile and that's why I love them, I play it very safe with my lip's! Nude MAC lipliners are my weakness!

MAC 'Modesty', 'Brave', 'Angel', 'Pink Plaid'

MAC 'Modesty', 'Brave', 'Angel', 'Pink Plaid'

MAC 'Modesty', 'Brave', 'Angel', 'Pink Plaid'

MAC 'Spice' & 'Soar' Lipliner

Thank's so much for reading! Hope you enjoyed this post! Let me know what you would like to see next!

Until next time,

Niamh xx

London Trip

Our London Trip

A few snaps from our trip to London

I flew out on my own July 31st 2015

It was my first time in London since I was 3 years old! I couldn't wait to go! 

I was going over to see one of my best pals who went over to a dance college on the west end! She had been there a week already!

We stayed in a stunning hotel looking out to the River Thames, and Tower Bridge was right outside our hotel!

The weather was insanely hot! I went and got my first ever tattoo In a place on Exmouth Market! It is called The Family Business Tattoo. They were all so nice there and I was so happy with the small tattoo I got!

On the second day we went to Victoria Secret & Selfridges! I was in my element! We then went onto the London Dungeons which were incredible! I had never even heard of them before but I was so happy that we went! We also got to see Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Houses of Parliament and The Big Ben. I was so in awe of the whole place.

We went to see Wicked on the West End which was so amazing! I felt like a little kid again. The singing would blow your mind and the set was incredible. 

Sunny London under Tower Bridge 

On our last day we went to Madame Tussauds. I have been to Madame Tussauds in New York a few times and I was expecting it to be similar or the same. I was so wrong, It was unreal. Despite queuing for nearly 3 hours we were in awe the whole time. I don't even want to spoil it for anyone who plans on going there but it's just the best!

I just adored every minute of London. The people are all so creative and it's such an amazing city. I cannot wait to go back and do all the bits i didn't get to do this time around! If you've been there or live near London let me know what your favorite places are!

My friend Catriona made this amazing vlog of her Time over there with her cousin and her time at Dancing college! Also out few days! Give it a watch!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzwvOoNdYGU

Thanks so much for reading!

Until next time,

Niamh xx

July 2015 Favourites

July Favorites 

I know it is now the start of August but I couldn't not do my July Favorites. I have bought loads of new bits this month and have been revisiting old products of mine that i've been loving and I thought I would share some with you!

The first thing I cannot get enough of this month is the Soap and Glory Smoothie Star Oat, Sugar and Shea Breakfast Scrub. Oh my gossshhh! This stuff is to die for. First off all the smell is just incredible. Some of the ingredients include Golden Sugar scrub particles,

Natural Organic cupuacu bio scrubs,Gentle Oatmeal grains,Banana, Almond and Honey extract,Shea Butter. I use this every morning in the shower, which may be a bit excessive but I love it so much! It isn't super rough on the skin so your not in pain after using it. And you smell delicious after. I just take some in my hands, add a tiny bit of water and rub it all over my skin and It just washes off so easy, doesn't leave any residue. It takes off fake tan so effortlessly as well! After applying this I use Soap and Glory The Righteous Butter, this is another favorite of mine smells delish and makes my skin so soft! 

 The next favourite isn't a beauty favorite but I have been loving it so much this month! It's a Carrie Name Necklace by mynamenecklace.ie 

If you have ever watched Sex and the City you know what a Carrie Necklace is! I love this it looks great with any outfit. Makes me feel a bit Carriesc (I wish) This would be a stunning gift for someone!

The next is nothing special but I love it, I've probably gone through 10 pots in the last month and a half! Its Carmex! I love it, it's the only thing I use on my lips that actually helps them. It's my most bought purchase so I just had to include it!

My next favorite is The Clinique All About Eyes Serum. This has been my life saver, I woke up last week with massive welts under my eyes and went to the doctor and he told me it was Andeodemia...In layman's terms...'An allergic reaction'. I've never had a reaction to anything before and it was the day before I was going away and nothing seemed to be working. When I was in the Airport on my way to London, I was picking up my moisturiser which is Clinique Moisture surge moisturiser and this came in a set with the moisturiser. My eyes were so puffy and swollen and sore and just gross looking, and I was applying this more for how soothing it was. After a few hours of using it they swelling just went down so much! This stuff is a miracle maker!! It has a little metal roller ball and it's so soothing and hydrating! 

Onto Makeup...an eyeshadow Palette I have been loving this month is Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar. I have been trying to get my hands on this for ages now and Im happy so say it was so worth the wait. I also have the original Chocolate Bar Palette but this is like the new and improved version. Unlike the Naked palette's where most people collected them, I wouldn't recommend people collecting the chocolate bar palettes as they are very much the same! I personally prefer the Semi Sweet one. They smell like chocolate as well...and lets be real! Who doesn't love chocolate!

Another eye makeup item I have been loving is MAC painterly paint pot. I love wearing this on my lids whether I'm wearing eyeshadow or not! Just to keep my lids looking clean and like i've made a bit of an effort when I probably haven't at all! I've been using this for a good few months, And I have to admit at first I just got it because of the hype around it...But I am so glad I did. It's an insane eyeshadow base. It really does make the shadow last for days!

This product is one that seems to never end, It is MAC Pro-Long wear concealer. This baby covers everything and is so so easy to blend. It never creases and once you set it in place it stays all day! It's a fool proof concealer and even though it is expensive it lasts forever! I use mine everyday and there is still so much product left! Its high coverage but not cakey! What more could you want!

A tan I love love love and not just for the month for July, Is Cocoa Brown By Marissa Carter. I am assuming most people have heard of this so Im not going to go into crazy detail. I love this, I apply it at night and the next morning wake up, wash it off in the shower and I have a gorgeous tan! I've never had streaks with this tan and it's not an overpowering 'Tan smell'...which usually smells like curry powder! Plus it doesn't get all over your bed. I've even see Kylie Jenner use this! It is great! If you're in search of a new tan try this out! And if you do let me know how you get on!

Last but not least is a Youtube channel I have been obsessed with the last month. It is KathleenLights! I love her, please check her out she has over 1m subscribers and she deserves every single one! She is such a sweet girl and is amazing at makeup! Plus she is hilarious!


https://www.youtube.com/user/KathleenLights


Thank's so much for reading! 


Until next time,


Niamh xx


P.S....Sorry about the dreadful quality photo's, I'm only new at this x

Foundation Review

Foundation Review

Today I am reviewing a foundation I have been hearing about everywhere! It's all over the blogging and Youtube communities. It is Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation.This foundation retails for €45.00 and has 30ml of product. Instead of going straight ahead and buying this foundation I went in and got a tester. The Girls working on the counter were lovely and gave me a large enough sample of this foundation. I tried it out for about 5 days wearing quite a lot to quite minimal. 

This foundation claims to be: 

Silky, lightweight fluid foundation for seamless application. Capture the glow of perfect looking skin with Luminous silk foundation, an oil-free hydrating fluid with exclusive Micro- fil™ technology. Its lightweight and silky texture glides on seamlessly for an all-day, buildable coverage. All skin types. 30ml 

I have to say throughout using this foundation there wasn't much I liked about it. I was expecting a lot more. On first application I thought it was nice it dried in fast enough and looked good. Throughout the day it gathered on parts of my face and disappeared from others. I noticed around my nose, between my eyebrows and under my eyes the foundation bunched up. I wore this with a primer and it still didn't seem to sit right. I was very disappointed and expected a lot more, By the end of the day there wasn't an once of foundation left nor was my bronzer/blusher or highlight anywhere on my face. I looked like I had'nt been wearing any, except for the greasy nearly mucky residue it left on my face. Sad to say I was fairly disappointed and for the price I was expecting so much more. My skin type is Normal/Dry and I felt I looked shiny throughout the day, which never usually happens to me. I also broke out after using this!

Please let me know how you got on with this foundation if you've tried it!

Until next time,

Niamh xx

July Makeup Purchases

July Makeup Purchases

Hello Again! Before I went away I spent some money on a few bits I 'Needed'...More so wanted! They were bits id wanted for a while and had heard great things about so I went ahead and treated myself! 

My first stop was to Kiehl's on Grafton Street to buy the ever so popular Midnight Recovery Concentrate. I dont know what I was expecting from this product but I don't yet know if it was worth the money. I use it every night before bed, I apply it before my moisturiser, I pat it onto my face and allow it to dry. I haven't noticed any difference yet if i'm honest so im going to keep using it and see if there's any changes. I have to say it does smell and feel amazing when I apply it. But for the cost Id expect a lot more. I know you can pick up samples of it so if your looking to test it out, I would 100% recommend getting some samples and trying it out before you buy! 

My next stop was to Brown Thomas where I headed straight to MAC. For ages I have been trying to get my hands on Spice Lip liner and it's forever sold out, But I finally was able to get it so off course I did! It is a stunning deep nude liner and looks so good for a night out when your doing a Deep nude lip! I then tricked myself into getting MAC Global Glow. I have to say I am not to sure why I purchased this because I had only gotten MAC Soft & Gentle, and I just haven't been able to get the hang off using such a dark 'highlight' colour, It more bronzer with a shimmer! Its gorgeous but I needed to find the right way to wear it!

I have wanted to try Makeup Forever HD foundation since about 2 years ago! I finally went in and got it, I got mine in the shade N117. I love this shade there's no pink to it but it's not overly yellow. I have only used this a few times while I was away and it was still on my face through the hottest London heat and humidity. So this has a massive thumbs up from me.

This isn't really a Makeup Item its a Makeup Bag! I love love love Ted Baker and already have One Large and One small Makeup bag by them but really wanted one I could pop in my handbag so I bought this fab Black Patent one with a white bow. Again totally did not need it. But I love it and it fits so much!

As Im sure so many people do once pay day comes around...Internet shopping. I dont know what comes over me when I have money in my account I suddenly end up on websites and decide I need things I didn't even know I needed. 

My first online purchase was  Too Faced Cocoa Contour. Up until now I've always used either Nars Laguna or Benefit Hoola to contour. This is now my new holy grail product! It comes with 4 shades, A bronzer, A grey toned contour shade, a highlight and an under eye yellow toned powder. The contour shade is incredible. Its the perfect shade to get those Killer Kardashian cheek bones everyone wants! The bronzer is just a standard bronzer, I use this on a day to day basis for work just to add some dimension to my face, and the under eye yellow toned powder is perfect for setting under eye concealer and brightening up the eye area! The one thing is the highlight...Not a fan. I feel like its something you would find in a child's makeup set. Its chunky glitter and I couldn't imagine anyone using it to highlight. Other than that I love love love this palette. I bought mine on Debenhams online store for €38.00.

On to another Too Faced Item...The Too Faced Semi Sweet Chocolate bar palette. I already had the original Chocolate bar palette and have been trying for ages to get this and finally I found it on Ebay! I love this. At first I didn't think I liked it as much as the original but now after using it, Im obsessed. Its the original but better. This was expensive because I had to ship it over but so worth the money. I bought mine from BeautyBridge on Ebay.

My next purchase was from Net-A-Porter. This product can also be bought in Space NK but I was far to lazy to go back into town so settled on buying it online even though I was charged €15 P&P. It is The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette. These are stunning highlighting powders, I'm still unsure of the best way to use them so I need to give them a good bit of testing and see how I could make them work. They are very expensive so lets hope I can! They feel very luxurious and are such nice colours! Ill keep you posted and let you know what I think of them!

Since forever I have been using Benefit Brow Gel to tame my brows when they are crazzyyy! But lately I just haven't felt like they've been doing much at all, I don't know whether they changed the formula or what but It was no longer working. So I decided to get the Anastasia Beverly Hills brow gel, I bought this back in 2008 when I was in the states and I can just remember it was like super glue, Held my brows all day! And I remembered very right. This is amazing, it's a clear brow gel that sets your brows all day long. Its such a must for me whether I am wearing makeup or not! I bought mine on  

CultBeauty.co.uk and It came within a few days!

Last but not least is two little Travel sizes of MAC Strobe cream and MAC Fix Plus. I have heard everyone and their mother talk about this and said id buy two mini ones to test out! They were both €10 each and i bought mine on Brown Thomas.ie, I spray Fix plus on my foundation brush prior to applying my foundation and it just gives an airbrush effect and works as a setting spray, I also would just spritz myself with it during the day and it hydrates my face and i find it fixes my makeup if it's gone blotchy in any areas. Sounds very weird but its great! And with the Strobe Cream I add some to either my primer or foundation and an extra bit on the highest points of my face for a dewy natural finish. Definitely try them out, buy the mini versions and see what you think! Strobing is the newest trend and I am definitely jumping on the band waggon!!

Hope you enjoyed this July Makeup Purchases post!

Until next time,

Niamh xx