Neutral Funk

Taupe and black aren't the most out there shades, but layered over each other these two neutral hues create quite a funky effect. The taupe in question is Macs Cool Reserve; a limited edition shade that i find myself applying quite regularly. Today i decided to layer a black shattered effect polish over it. This one is from Primark costing a mere €2!! 

Sandwiched between the two are OPI Nail Envy and Seche Vite dry fast top coat the best base and top coat in my opinion. 

Are you a fan of the shatter effect?

What nailpolish have you been wearing lately? 

Empty Addiction #2

No this is not a picture of the contents of my rubbish bin. As I mentioned in my previous post, this year i was determined to use up as much products i had lying around as possible, this was my effort for the latter part of the year.

Can you spot any of your favourites??

I am determined to reclaim space and get my collection down to a reasonable size so i can purchase the odd beauty treat without guilt. Hopefully through continuing to use up items and selling on ebay, i can achieve this. 

The best of the bunch from this rather sizeable pile were:

Clarins Bust Beauty Ultra Lift Gel: This product really made a difference to the appearance to the bust area. The area seemed smoother, firmer and lifted. This is one of those products that in years to come youll be glad you used  as the skin around the bust area can get quite 'creppy' with age. Other products i enjoy in this range include the Instant Eye Make Up Remover, Tanning milk for the Face and Decollete, Instant Light Lip Perfectors, Body Shaping Cream and the infamous Beauty Flash Balm.

La Roche Posay Effaclar Matte: Renamed and repackaged, formally known as Effaclar M, I actually prefer the previous pump bottle packaging. Having combination skin, I find alot of products either too heavy on the skin or in terms of products focused towards oilier skin not hydrating enough. This moisturiser is a lovely gel like consistency that is light on the skin and provides an excellent canvas for foundation making it the perfect daytime moisturiser. This whole range is targeted towards sensitive skin and is recommended by many dermatologists. I am half way through my third tube. I am also tempted by the Effaclar Duo that seems to be doing the rounds at the moment. 

Vichy Dermablend Foundation: I do not wear  tinted moisturiser , i am a fan of full coverage. This foundation provides flawless coverage with the smallest amount of product although i do find the need to powder as the lasting power is not the best despite a 16 hour wear promise on the tube. If you enjoy the coverage of Mac Studio Fix Fluid and Estee Lauder Double Wear which i will mention in a moment, you will enjoy this. The tube pictured here is in the shade sand,  I am currently making my way through a second tube this time in nude but i prefer the Sand shade. 

Benefit Hoola Bronzer: A bit of a cult classic, this is a lovely matte brown shade. This is my second box and i will probably repurchase.

Estee Lauder Double Wear: Another full coverage foundation similar to Mac Studio Fix Fluid. I find the best way to apply this is with the fingers to warm up the product . A good layer of moisturiser must be used and not to be used in photographs as the white cast is quite dramatic. 

Ysl Shocking Mascara: Probably the best mascara i have ever used. Endless volume and length is achieved with a few swipes of the natural bristle brush. The only con is that it dries up within weeks.

Creightons Bronze Me Mousse: A terrific tan for the price, a lovely golden brown colour. I prefer this to the likes of other tans in the same price range such as St. Moritz.

Urban Decay Primer Potion: This is the best eye primer around, eye shadow literally stays perfect all day and I actually have to work harder to remove my eye makeup when using this. A mini one pictured but i have gone through many of these in full size. A definite repurchase.

Almay Bare it All Legs: Very similar product to Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs providing colour and a stocking like effect on the legs covering any imperfections. Purchased on a trip to Galway this cost only €4.99 but I have yet to find it in Dublin :-(

Nuxe Firming Body Cream : Not quite as good as the Clarins Body Shaping Cream but applies really nicely and has a lovely vanilla scent. 

Revlon Colourbomb: This is one of the stand out products of the year for me. It revives faded colour in minutes without damaging the hair,  particularly good for those with bright hair colour such as red. Another definite repurchase.

Loreal Sulphate Free Range: I like the entire range of these sulphate free shampoo and conditioners and have repurchased these several times throughout the year but I am keen to try Pureology as I have heard many good things about the line. 

Have you let your collection get out of control? 

Any thoughts on the products mentioned?

Darina x

Out with the old...

Hi Ladies,

 Just to let you know i have started listing items on Ebay, just a few to start out with many more to come! Keep your eyes pealed as i'm doing a massive clear out :-)



http://www.ebay.ie/sch/darinaru/m.html?_nkw=&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=&_trksid=p3686

Red Alert

I played it safe since my early teens not veering far from the darkest shades of brown ; some may even say black. Almost a year ago now I decided it was time for something different and wanted to dye my raven locks a vibrant red.


Colour B4 could not tackle the build up of box dyes from many years of home diying and after several failed attempts i booked in with the professionals.It took 3 separate visits and many hours to get to the desired shade.

My hair needed to be stripped and bleached several times before the colouring and toning  process could begin. I love the result but red hair fades extremely quickly and is very hard to get remove from the hair.

As mentioned in a previous post ; I am now contemplating purple hair inspired by Jade Thirlwall ..... and the process begins!

NOTD :)

Todays NOTD is the latest addition to my ever expanding nail paint collection; Barry Ms new limited edition polish. Nail Paints have to be my favourite nail polishes as they are long lasting, vibrant and great value for money.This latest shade is a particular favourite of mine; a lovely warm pinkish purple thats super flattering on the nails. This lovely purple hue was free when i purchased two products from the range :)


What goodies did i purchase to aquire this lovely freebie? One of the new lipglosses (lp11) and fine glitter dust in shade 20. The lipgloss is a lovely coral colour, good colour pay off, non sticky and sweetly scented ( i'm also lemming the new strawberry milkshake shade!! ). The glitter dust ; a strong deep blue is a bit daring for my personal taste but is a welcome addition to my kit.

Some very impressive purchases from Mr M ;)

Get your hands on this limited edition lovely for €6.50 or free (like I did) when you spend €10 on Barry M products in Boots :)

What are some of your favourite nail paint shade(s)?!!

Darina xx

The colour purple

 

 

 

From nail polishes to eyeshadow, accessories to gadgets there is one hue i choose. Lately ive been obsessed with all things adorned in this autumnal shade. Plum, Berry, vivid purple ; i favour all tones . Purple exudes confidence elegance and luxury. Set to become a massive trend this autumn /winter the sensual shade will literally be seen everywhere... much to my satisfaction!  My mission to find the ultimate lipstick in the colour is well underway. I am even contemplating purple hair!!

 

Are you a fellow purple fan??

      Suggestions on the perfect purple toned lipstick are greatly  appreciated :-)

 

 

 

 Darina xx

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