Sunday, December 8, 2013

Colour Week - Day 5 - Seeing Red

Red lips at the from the iconic, to the vampy to the bitten
Red lips were my first love as far as makeup was concerned. As soon as I moved away from tinted moisturiser and clear mascara, it was red lips that stole my heart.

For a long time red was the only colour I owned, and to this day it still dominates my collection. Still, when faced with a selection of colours for any lip product, my eye automatically scans down the line to the far right and fixates on the rich red shades that reside there.

Let's face it, in most lip colour collections there are the nudes, the pinks and the reds. I'm a red. This time of the year lends itself perfectly to a chic red lip. Be it a stain in the day time or a perfectly painted pout over cocktails - t'is the season eh? So here's the low down on the reds you can expect to see on my lips for the foreseeable future.

Straight in with the classic pillarbox/orange red, Lanôme have completely won me over with their lipsticks as of late. As price points go, MAC are just under 20 and Lancôme just over (€26) but they're worlds apart as far as luxury and quality go. 132 Caprice is pictured above in the gold bullet, a best seller and part of the Kate Winslet collection. First off, it smells gorgeous and what's more the colour pay off is second to none. Three strokes and your done. Bottom, top left, top right. A classic vermillion  red (read very red) it has the tough of bright orange to mimic the class 1950 red we all know and love.

I've spoken about Giorgio Armani CC lipsticks before, but 410 Hot is too good to not to bring up again. Where Lancôme has a hint of orange, Hot has an ever-so-subtle hint of taupe - by that I mean, it's not the classic pillar box red, rather a sophisticated, true red. The lasting power of this lipstick is a blessing. It's so easy to wear in how easy it goes on, stays put and required minimal fussing over. Lasting through fancy party nibbles and cheeky rum-and-cokes alike.

Moving on to the dark stuff, Rimmel again feature heavily, producing 3 of my favourite budget reds. Moisture Renew in Diva Red and Apocalips in Eclipse and Across the Universe. Depending on how dark you want to go, these shades are very much the gateway. Dive Red is a beautifully rich blood red, with an unbelievably luscious finish and impeccable colour. Across the Universe is a really unique red-brown. Not too dark, but certainly not a bright red either. It's the kind of red not many brands do, I don't find. Eclipse is getting firmly into purple territory. Deep, mysterious luxurious, vampy. Everything you're expecting from the moniker.

Now I will admit, red can be a scary colour to wear. Even I, a die-hard fan, don't feel like wearing it every day. But if I simply must get my hit that day, that's where e.l.f Barely Bitten and Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon are perfect for just enough red, without needing to commit to a statement lip. The Lip Butter is a particular favourite of mine for a my-lips-but-redder look.

Ah go on. Let's have some swatches
Eclipse, Across the Universe, Diva Red, 401 Hot, 132 Caprice, Barely Bitten, Wild Watermelon
Will you be seeing red this season?
Are you a fan of red lips at all?

#ColourWeek is getting there! I promise! Better late than never!

Lisa
xXx

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Colour Week - Day 4 - Violet Eyes

- Elizabeth Taylor watch out, we can have violet eyes too -
Purple has to be my absolute favourite wildcard colour when it comes to eyes.

Sure bronze and burgundy are in the running, (and Blue of course) but nothing says POW like a pop of purple on your peepers.

Okay, I promise the P puns are over (okay now they are), so instead I'll get cracking on a run down on my favourite purple products. (You can't blame me for that one)

Monday, November 11, 2013

Colour Week - Day 3 - This is Pop, Baby

Adding a pop of colour to brighten up the darker days
Well colour week is turning out a bit sporadic, but I'm persevering nonetheless!

I refuse to believe that bright colorus are purely a summer thing. The duller the day, the brighter I wanna make it and these are the products I reach for to do just that!

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Colour Week - Day 2 - Autumn Leaves

Perfect on fair skins, take inspiration from the world around
Trying to bring in a bit of extra colour into your everyday makeup doesn't need to be complicated. At this time of year there is plenty of inspiration all around us, and fairer skin tones glow when teamed with warming orange shades. And in a strange turn of events ... they're all matts.

Colour Week - Day 1 - Ole' Blue Eyes

Bringing Blue Eye Looks Back with Inglot, Essense, Maybelline and Lancome
If you told me the idea of blue eye shadow scared you, I wouldn't blame you.

Images of 80s music videos and 90s B-movies are pretty terrifying all on their own without re-living them in your makeup mirror when that subtle blue eye look backfires.

That said, the runways this past season have had us reconsidering. And these are just a few products to ease us into the trend...

Wednesday, October 30, 2013

3 New Dublin Shops I'm Very Excited About ...

Oh Dublin. The longer I live here the more I love you.

The City is undergoing an unusual overhaul in recent years. The castoffs of the Celtic Tiger crash are being upcycled into fresh destinations of affordable luxury.

Hipsters are ruling the roost with their funky homebaking coffee shops, cushions and cosies adorn many a tea house and Ye' Olde Sweet Shops are a dime-a-dozen. TO LET signs are loosing out to COMING SOON notices.

It's safe to say that Dublin is firmly back on its feet. In the last few months there has been a number of exciting new openings, three of which I'll share with you today so you can plan your next trip into town accordingly.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Chic alternative to the white nail varnish trend courtesy of Armani

Giorgio Armani Bianca nail lacquer
White nails without the tipp-ex effect

For years I loved the idea of white nail varnish, but the results rarely lived up to expectations.

White nails have seen a revival (Thanks Pinterest) which saw many a bottle of the white stuff broken out, but many of us pale girls realised this was best left to the bronzed beauties of the internet.

Then, I found a way to make it work, and my dream of chic white nails was re-born.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

CC Lipstick? Yes, Armani have made it a thing

Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy lipstick
Giorgio Armani Rouge Ecstasy 'CC' lipstick
BB is a thing. This we know.
We were just about wrapping our heads around CC, until it started popping up in some unusual places.

Lipstick being one of them ... yes, lipstick

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Isabel Marant for H&M

Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos
Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos - aka, Best Wednesday EVER!
The creator of the most-imitated shoes is coming to the high street, on her own terms. 

H&M collaborations are always highly anticipated, but there's something special in the air when it comes to the Isabel Marant collection which will be landing in stores November 4th.

We all knew it was going to be fabulous, but now we have an idea of just HOW fabulous it's going to be after a number of photos from the lookbook were leaked online. Photos such as:

Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos


Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos


Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos

Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos Isabel Marant for H+M Leaked Lookbook Photos



The Isabel Marant Pour H&M Facebook page has acknowledged the leak, posting some of the pictures, but you're really in for a treat over at the Huffington Post who have even more uploaded in a truly squee-worthy slideshow. Those boots, OH those boots!

The best part? That's not even all of it, there's still more awesome-ness to come. Roll on November!

EDIT: Vogue UK have the entire lookbook! So many beautiful things

Are you excited for the Isabel Marant Pour H&M Collection?
Have you a favourite piece from the collection so far?

Lisa
xXx

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Dry Skin Superheroes

Products for dry skin
Roger&Gallet, La Roche Posay and Ziaja come to the rescue 
Dry skin is not just an issue when it comes to facial skin care, it's all all-over issue. Thankfully, products like these are here to save the day ...

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Home desk essentials - Cien Anti-Aging Hand Cream

Having a honeycomb day with Lidl's anti-aging hand cream with beeswax and Burt's Bees lip balm
My love for Cien hand cream is well known. Recently I've been reaching for the more mature offering, and here's why ...

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Lip Glosses I love (and I don't even like lip gloss)


Benefit and Lancome Lip Glosses
Benefit Hoola, Lancome Gloss in Love Peach Show, Lancome Gloss in Love Scarlett Starlet, Benefit A-Lister
I'll admit it. I don't like lip gloss. But I like these ...

Thursday, August 8, 2013

Monday, August 5, 2013

Nupo Day 3

So rather than bore you with daily updates, I thought it best to write on milestone days. 1,3,5,7,10 and 14 - the last day.

Day 3 I found was when my patience was tested. No longer was this milkshakes, soups and plenty of water a fad it was going to be my life for the next while.

It's becoming strange not to have to think about food. Which I know sounds really weird. But I'm starting to realise how many of my eating habits were just that, habits. I made excuses for myself, rationalised, tried to justify so many things to myself. Ate even though I wasn't hungry, ate more than I needed to to feel satisfied.

I'm not sick of the shakes yet, thankfully. I find the veg soup is really nice with curry powder mixed in (it really does need seasoning). The hunger only creeps in around evening time. Usually around time for a late afternoon shake which I might follow up with tea and it's gone again. I'm never sitting around starving watching the clock. Today, while in Dundrum I had a non-fat cappuccino and kept a bottle of water with me, but there's nothing unusual there that's an average Saturday for me. I just resisted buying a cookie or having any of my sisters. It's the little victories in this game!

I've wanted to cheat a number of times but haven't so far. I'm keeping the chocolate shakes as treats - because if I could I would drink them all day. If anything I'm learning that I don't need to eat every time I think about eating. If that's all I take away from this experience I'll be more than happy.

What I will say about any visible results so far, it's far too early to tell. However, I was trying on dresses earlier and felt they fit really well because the bloating I often get from eating wheat/grains is well and truly out of the picture.

A word from those around me - Boyfriend has expressed his concerns that the weight I do loose will come off my chest, aka The Girls. Priorities. right?

Have you ever had to face the Day 3 diet milestone?
Would you admit to cheating on a diet?

Lisa
xXx

Go back to Day 1                                                                                                                      See Day 5

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Sunday, July 21, 2013

BB Cream Battles - Perfecting Pale Skin

Light BB cream

BB Creams were never something I saw myself being interested in, especially because it was so difficult to find a pale one ... so, have I succeeded?

There's only way to find out ...



Monday, July 15, 2013

My Favourite Mascaras - Blackest Black and Fakest False

Best mascaras

Mascara is easily the one make-up product I couldn't do without. If mascara-less, I'm featureless; my lashes are transparent, by eyes have no definition - the term boiled egg brings to mind ...

I've worn make-up on a regular basis since I was 12-going-on-13. So mascara has been in my life for ... let's just say there's a decade and a bit in there somewhere. So what have my 10+ years of mascara experience taught me about what makes a great mascara?

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Shine On Blogger Award

Two very lovely girls tagged me for the Shine On Blogger Award. Go check out the loveliness in the form of Adoreabubbles and Girlfriday.

This tag dictates I spill 7 random facts about myself and nominate other bloggers for the same award so ... here it goes!


Monday, July 1, 2013

Copenhagen Diary

Copenhagen Diary

Holidays to my family means exploring somewhere new. City breaks are how we roll. This year, we took 4 days in the Copenhagen, capital of Denmark and world capital of stunning cheekbones, bicycles and sandwiches. No really, sandwiches.

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Milk or sugar?



I take mine brewed pretty strong, but not stewed. With plenty of milk to cool it down and make it taste creamier. How do you take your tea?


Sunday, June 16, 2013

What goes around ...

Silver karma circle necklace
...comes around
We wear jewelry to decorate ourselves, but sometimes we also wear it to remind us of something ...


Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Do you comfort shop?

Rimmel Salon Pro Colour Tattoo
Retail Therapy from Rimmel, Maybelline and friends...
I'm stuck in a vicious circle between comfort eating and retail therapy. How do you get through off days?


Saturday, June 8, 2013

... watch this space

The Blog is under going some changes.

The quality was not what it should have been and I can do so much better.

So hopefully when everything is in place it will all be worth it and I will have something I can be proud of and people can have something they can enjoy ...



Lisa 
xXx

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

I come baring good news!

Today I'm sick. What I thought was just a cold has knocked me for six and left me struggling to finish sentences and have to think a bit to hard to remember my PIN.

BUT all is not lost, because I've heard through the grapevine (read:  Twitter) that Boots, every beauty-lovers mecca, has made a very exciting announcement:

Boots deliver to Ireland

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Break from Scheduled Programming - Dog Breed Misconceptions

Look at this face
If you were offered a lurcher-mix pup -
- would you picture this face?
Lurcher Staffy mix pup
Archie
He's a walking contradiction of nearly every dog stereotype around... but how could he be?