Empty Addiction

On the highest shelf in the darkest corner of my bedroom lurks a cardboard box. Overflowing with empty bottles, yars and containers; this mountain of emptiness signifies six long months of dedicated product use. The 1st of  this month did not just mark my 23rd birthday ( the less said about that the better!!) but also six months since i undertook the task of tackling my terrifying collection trying to make a dent into the masses of make-up i have consumed over the past few years.

Youtube, blogs and glossy magazine addictions are penned as the main culprits in feeding my cometic addiction. Every few weeks there seemed to be a new buzz product, a new collection released or simply a new recommendation. If my favourites from the online beauty community liked it, i had to have it and pretty soon i was left with quite a substancial minimally used stash. I would start one product and go onto the next without finishing the last.


In 2012 i took my habbit by the horns and put myself on a buying ban in a bid to clear half or minimally used items in an effort to downsize my vast collection.




Lets unleash this monster....

Fake tan, foundation, mascara and hair treatments seem to be the trend among the chaos. Signifying my search for the perfect tan flawless skin big lashes and frizz free hair.

Among the madness there is only six products that made the grade when deciding on what or if i would repurchase.

 Clarins Body Shaping Cream- a sillouette shaping cream that actually delivers

.Fakebake Flawless Tan: Dark yet natural doesnt leave you looking tangoed.

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer: Concealing yet illuminating hides all traces of a late night the morning after.

 Mac Long Wear Creme Lipstick in overtime: the perfect everyday pink.
Mac Studio Fix Fluid in NC35: good skin in a bottle

Lancome Hynose Drama Mascara: dramatic lashes without the glue.

The box has now been emptied in a bid to hopefully make way for just as many if not more empty products. My dream whittling my essentials to a single makeup bag is still a distant possibility but hopefully in another six months I'll be that bit closer!

Is your makeup collection also out of control?

 Have you ever undergone a similar project?

Have u used any of the products mentioned?

Id love to hear your thoughts :-)

Darina xx

Painting Faces

A collection of looks I did, kindly modeled by my lovely friends :)

 

 

  

 

Darina xx

NOTD: Revlon Plummy

Not just of the day, I've been sporting this lovely polish for the last three weeks!! Each time I went to paint my nails I've been drawn to this lovely plum fuchsia offering from Revlon, I simply cant get enough. Flattering on the hands, sophisticated yet funky; the perfect mix between gothic shades and super girly pinks. Multi seasonal and stays chip resistant for days- whats not to love! Definitely my new go to polish.

What are your go to polishes? 

Size Matters ;)

Before my teens my hair was extremely long, thick and healthy. My massive mane had even the most competent hairdresser quaking in their ballet pumps. It took two pairs of skilled hands and a professional blowdryer to style my lengthy locks.    


My thirteenth birthday began my terrible teens and some terrible hair experimentation!! The length was chopped,tonnes of ill-advised layers were added not to mention a diy fringe, Victoria Beckham 'Pob' and some hot pink slices. The end result was something Rod Stewart would fashion. But hey hair grows!!

Now that I've turned 21, I've learnt sometimes simple is best. I've found my comfort zone with my side fringe and long layers, keeping the darkness. It may be boring and safe but its my hair!!



After years of abusing hair colour and heat appliances, my hair has been left very weak and thin,especially through the ends. The above picture really highlights the damage. Being a fan of big hair I was not a happy camper.


While i search for a miracle product that will restore my thirsty damaged hair to its former glory, I've found a short term solution in clip in hair extensions. They discuse my thin ends and add some much needed volume and glamour.



I bought two strands of the 18 inch clip ins in shade 1 from hairspray on Wicklow Street for a special price of €60. I'm in love with them!!

What do you think of hair extensions???

Has any product worked wonders for your hair???
 

Darina xx

Something a little stronger ...

Last night I scraped out the last of my L'oreal Lash Renewal Serum. After a brief fling with Mavala Double Lash and two tubes of the L'oreal version, I was in the market for something new. While both these products left my lashes strong and conditioned, I wanted dramatic results, added length .... something a litte stronger. I perused the isles of my local Boots and decided on the latest buzz product. Delusional daydreams of drag queen esque falsies entered my mind as I coughed up the €50. The other two products I mentioned were around the €15 mark so I have extremely high expectations for Rapid Lash.

The marketing Pitch:

• RapidLash is an innovative high-performance serum that conditions your lashes to look stronger, fuller and longer in as few as 8 weeks.Clinically proven up to 50% longer looking natural lashes.

• Lashes and brows are nourished and strengthened to fight damaging environmental elements and premature fallout.

• RapidLash delivers essential proteins, vitamins, moisturising and rejuvenating ingredients that help replenish and strengthen the structure of lashes, while adding shine and elasticity.

 

I will do an in-depth review after the eight weeks including before and after pics, *fingers crossed* the product lives up to its many promises!

Have you tried any lash enhancing products? What results did you achieve?!

Darina xx

In and Out #1!!

IN :)

Mac Face and Body Foundation

This is definitely one of my summer staples and dare i say THE perfect summer foundation. I overlooked this lil miracle on many occasions as the consistency is extremely watery. Applied with a stipple brush this foundation creates the most perfect light dewy airbrushed finish. Team with lashings of mascara , cream blush and a tinted balm for an easy, pretty 'lit from within' look!

Summer

Theres just something about summer that makes even the most mundane boring routine that bit more bearable. Sunshine, clear skies, catching up with old friends, festivals, holidays, beer gardens, bbqs..... definitely my favourite season :)

OUT :(


Tonsillitis

As most of Ireland soaks up every last drop of sun this week, yours truly is stuck indoors with a nasty case of tonsillitis :( My second time contracting the nasty bugger, i now know what to expect ; an entire week of wallowing in self pity as I constantly update family and friends on my increasing levels of boredom!!

Job Searching

After many cuts from my work and even more rumours, it was finally announced that me and my fellow co-workers will indefinitely be made redundant on the 16th of next month. Me and my friend Laura decided to bite the bullet and traipse into town to distribute our new and improved cvs with little success. A very disheartening experience to say the least. Hopefully things will pick up soon but until then I will have a great time spending redundancy money and going on courses, improving my skills for future employers and meeting new people. Everything happens for a reason ........ apparently!! ;)

What have you been loving and loathing lately?!!


Have a great day :)


xx

bright pink lip neutral eye fotd

Hello there :)

When it comes to makeup I tend to shy away from colour. My staple looks favour emphasis on the eyes in neutral or smokey tones with a non offensive nude pink pout to match. After many disheartening attempts at a glamourous red lip, i decided to call it a day and accept the fact that the hollywood staple is not meant for me :(

Today I tried my hand at the next best thing- a super girlie bright pink lip! And although it will take some getting used to, i am quite pleased with the results. Teamed with my safety net neutral eye, it creates quite a fresh summery look:



zoomed in:




Close up of the eye:



Without flash:

Face:

Mac studio fix fluid NC30
Rimmel recover concealer
Benefit hoola bronzer
Bobbi brown pink coral

Eyes:

Mac brun, shroom,brule and cork e/s
Barry m 3 in 1 mascara

Lips:
Make up store lip definer #43
17 lasting fix lipstick in pink power


I had fun stepping out of my comfort zone and pushing my boundaries that little bit further!


Have a great day xx