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

a hairy situation!!

I have been a long time lurker on makeupalley for quite some time, I especially enjoyed the fotd board as it gave me many ideas on looks and tips to improve my own techniques. Last week I finally found the courage to post my very first fotd on the site, i recieved many nice responses and also some very thoughtful constructive criticism suggesting i get my brows shaped. I had my brows waxed and plucked before and was never happy with the result as the therapists always seemed to take too much off so i decided to let them grow and never really thought about it. Its not untill you see magnified pictures of yourself that you see that these total strangers had
Wanting to try out threading, i took my bruised ego to the wink salon in clerys department store in Dublin. I got an appointment extremely quickly and the therapists were friendly and very informative. The treatment cost 20euro and the process took a matter of minutes. The therapist gave me a loyalty card at the end of the treatment so after five treatments i get one free :)

I was very pleased with all aspects of the treatment and here are the results :

before:

the cringey pics that exposed my bad brows!!!

this one particulary highlights how bad they were!!

After :

Yesterdays fotd :)

I hope you can see that there is a dramatic difference. If anyone is considering threading i would strongly recommend it as it is quick, virtually painless and extremely precise!

Have a great day :) xxx

goldy eye fotd :)

here is my lazy sunday face of the day, nothing special just a quick neutral goldy, i took pictures of the makeup in different lights so you can get the true effect :)

i get so embarrassed taking photos like this so onto the cringy photos!!

with flash :

showing the eye makeup:



without flash:

Cringey part over, now onto the products used!

Face:
Estee lauder double wear in ivory beige
Rimmel recover concealer
Benefit hoola bronzer
Mac pink swoon blush

Eyes:
Mac woodwinked cork and brun e/s
Mac teddy e/l
Mac studio fix mascara

Lips:
Prestige lipliner in silk
MAC creme cup l/s

Nothing spectacular to say the least but i thought id get a move on and start posting :)

Thanks for stopping by and hope you had a great weekend :) xxx