Clothing Haul

Just a quick blog post to share some of the things I have purchased in the last few days!

I don't think I am alone in saying that Zara has been on fire with their collections in the past few months, and they show no sign of letting up. It is impossible for me to pass by any Zara without picking up a few pieces. 

Yesterday, I picked up this beautiful dark green pencil dress. It is a classic pencil dress shape, which comes down to mid calf length on me (I am 5'5" so this will vary depending on your height!) It has slight padding in the shoulders, which give a great structure to the silhouette. It is €69.95 from Zara. 

This is definitely one of my favourite style dresses, which is sexy while still being very classy. Team this with a pair of sky high stilettos and a clutch bag and you're good to go! 

I am fascinated at the make over that Kanye has been giving Kim Kardashian in recent months since their relationship began. I don't feel like some of the outfits he has picked for her are the most flattering on her figure, but I am loving all the leather!! I think a monochrome outfit with leather trousers or leather top can look effortlessly chic. I spotted this top in Zara, with gorgeous leather short sleeves. It has an exposed gold zip on the back. I teamed this with leather trousers, nude flats and an oversized bag for shopping this weekend. This was €39.95, but the quality of this top makes it look a lot more expensive. 

The last purchase from Zara was a dusty pink knitted top. This is just perfect for the colder Autumn/Winter days, and is a bargain at only €19.95. They also sell it in an ivory colour, which I am tempted to pick up this week.

The last stop on my shopping spree was Office. I wanted to purchase some new ankle boots to see me through the winter. I already have a few black pairs so decided to opt for the tan ankle boots. They have a small heel so are perfect for wearing to work all day. They were €80, and I am also tempted to pick up the black pair too, as all the black ankle boots I have are a much higher heel. 

I also picked up a new pair of basic nude flats. You can't have enough pairs of nude shoes, in my opinion. For me, I'd rather spend less on these, and change them up every few months. Penney's also do great ballet pumps, but these camel toned pair caught my eye. They go perfectly with any skinny jean, and are perfect for an outfit that has a lot going on elsewhere. They were about €20 from Office, and they also have them in black (No Rosie, you DO NOT need another pair of black flats!!)

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Rosie

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Recent Online Purchases

This is going to be a more random post on a few of the things I have purchased from online recently.

The first is a new blender bottle for my protein shakes. I have been on a major diet and exercise overhaul recently, and decided to get a new bottle with the Blenderball wire whisk. I was finding it hard to mix up my shakes, so decided to give this one a go. It is amazing, and requires hardly any shaking to get a smooth liquid consistency. I will definitely be picking up some more of these (in pink, of course!!)

 I have also been loving the Bioderma Créaline H2O solution. I have had a love for French skincare for some time now, and heard rave reviews about this product. It is a soothing non-rinse cleanser and make up remover. My skin tends to be quiet sensitive, but this has caused me no problems. It has little or no scent, and has a water-like consistency.

I use this to remove my make up in the evenings, before I cleanse with my Liz Earle Cleanse and Polish. I soak a cotton pad with this and wipe across my face eyes and neck. It removes every scrap of make up, including water proof mascara and eyeliners. I have literally squeezed this into my eyes with absolutely no irritation whatsoever! I am on to my 3rd bottle of this, and it has fast become a staple in my skincare routine. It is only available in French pharmacies, so ordering from Ebay is my only option, but I have had no problems with my seller.(listed below) 

The last purchase was from MadameMadeline.com. I have always been a huge fan of false eyelashes. Having tried them all, from individual lashes, to semi-permanent lashes, the Ardell range of strip lashes are my favourites by a long shot. I have been using the Demi Wispies from Ardell, and have had so many people ask me about them when I wear them.

They have a natural criss-cross effect which is seen in real eyelashes. The band is also extremely thin so they feel light and natural to wear. I have ordered these in bulk as they are most definitely my eyelash of choice for the foreseeable future!! 

Blender Bottle Ebay seller Here

Bioderma Ebay seller Here

Have you purchased any online treats recently?

Rosie

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Make Up for new Mums

So when my eldest sister recently had her first baby, the one thing she was keen to know was what make up would work best for, now that all of her time was consumed with her new arrival.

It can be very difficult for new mothers to find the time to even think, let alone concern themselves with applying make up. So I came to her with some great products that are both effective and easy to use.

As a friend of many new mums, I have noticed that nearly all of these ladies have trouble with dark circles around their eyes. Not surprising, what with the lack of sleep and low iron levels! (Don't forget girls, they are also hereditary, so sometimes no amount of sleep will get rid of them, unfortunately!!)

The combination of the next two products is exactly what you need to fool people into thinking you have had your 8 hours...

Bare Minerals Well Rested is a lightweight eye brightener which buffs on beautifully to instantly lift the dark circles. I use this in conjunction with MAC Studio Finish concealer to give a flawless finish. Apply your concealer first, and set it with a light dusting of Well Rested, /using a fluffy eyeshadow brush. I could not be without this in my make up kit, for those days when nothing you do gets rid of the panda look.

Once you have your eyes looking fresher, the rest of the skin just needs a little freshening up to achieve a low maintenance healthy glow. I would use a tinted moisturiser, as it is lightweight and easy to apply when you are stuck for time. MAC do a great tinted moisturiser, or you can also try one of the many BB creams on the market (I will be reviewing some of the leading BB creams very soon so keep your eyes peeled!)

Once you have your base sorted, I would apply a light dusting of blusher to the apples of your cheeks. This will create a fresh faced look, adding a flush of colour to your complexion.

Finally, a coat of mascara and a little tinted lip conditioner and you're good to go. If you are blessed with an extra 2 minutes to curl your eyelashes, then go for it, as this will instantly open up the eyes, and help your eyelashes hold their curl for longer. 

When it comes to lip conditioners, there are so many to choose from, but one of my favourites has to be the MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner SPF 15 in "Petting Pink" It has a beautiful, rich texture with great colour pay-off. The sun protection in it, also keeps your lips from drying out in the sun.

So there you have it Mum's, a quick and easy way to look rested, even when your new arrival has you run ragged!

Rosie

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MAC Haul

I recently went into MAC in Brown Thomas, to stock up on some products I had run out of, and to have a look at their new Heavenly Creature Collection.

The first thing I picked up was the Pro Longwear concealer. I have been an avid lover of the Studio Finish concealer for many years, but decided to try something a little lighter for the summer months. This is a great lightweight concealer with medium to full coverage. It leaves a beautiful matte finish to the skin, and is ideal for covering up any blemishes or dark circles you may have, without feeling too heavy on the skin. 

I have hit pan on my MAC Blot Powder, so decided to restock, as I cant imagine going even one day without it, especially with this muggy and humid weather we have been having. It is a pressed powder, designed for shine control, without adding any colour or texture to the skin. It comes with a little puff applicator, but i prefer to use a powder brush (MAC #129) as this gives a really light application just where I need it.

 

  

I also repurchased the Eyebrow Crayon in Strut and the Mineralize Skinfinish in Medium Deep. I have found this to be the best matte powder to contour with. So many bronzers claim to be "matte" but still have a slight sparkle and shimmer to them which defeats the purpose of contouring. This powder is completely matte, with a low coverage. I use this on a the Real Techniques Contour brush to contour the cheeks and forehead etc. I can't tell you how long this lasts... Its been months since I last picked one up! 

As I wear all kinds of lip products on a daily basis, from liners and lipsticks to glosses and lip stains, I felt like my lips needed some extra care, to keep them in great condition. I picked up the Viva Glam Ricky Lip Conditioner. This is untinted and smells divine. It is ideal for applying under your lipstick, to give the lips a soft and smooth surface. I have been using this on its own, on days when I have little or no make up on. It gives a nice creamy texture to the lips, without the sticky appearance of a gloss. My lips already miss this on days I forget to apply it! And, as all proceeds go directly to the MAC Aids Fund, it is always a purchase that is guilt free :-) 

The last thing I picked up was from the MAC Heavenly Creatures Collection. It is the Mineralize eyeshadow in Magnetic Attraction. I picked this up after seeing it worn by my friend, and MAC Make Up Artist, Steph. It is a beautiful mix of cranberry, gold and orange. When used together, you get a bright coral shade, with a stunning shimmer to it. You can also spritz a small angled brush with some Fix +, and target each individual colour, for a more intense variation of the shadow. This is the perfect shade for the summer months. 

You can check out all of these products here.

Rosie

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Origins Drink Up Intensive Mask

After reading many rave reviews of the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight mask, I decided to give into the hype and give it a try. I am already a big fan of the Origins brand, as any or their products that I have tried, now have a regular place in my daily skincare routine. 

Although this mask is aimed at people with dry and dehydrated skin, after reading Vivianna's reviews, it seems that it can work well for normal/combination skin too. After all, even though you may have oily skin, it can also be dehydrated. So I popped over to the Origins counter in House of Fraser, Dundrum.

This is an overnight mask which is designed to rehydrate and repair the skin. With ingredients like Avocado and Apricot Kernel Oil, it is packed with goodness. The Japanese Seaweed within the mask helps to repair the skin, and leave your face feeling brighter and more radiant.

It has a gel like consistancy, which glides on to the skin, leaving you feeling instantly hydrated, like you have just fed your skin a glass of water! My favourite thing about this product is undoubtedly the smell... it is a sweet, fruity, mango scent, by far the best smelling skincare product I have tried. 

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I use this twice a week, as the last step in my skincare routine, after applying my moisturiser. Leave it on the skin for at least ten minutes to soak in, before burying your head in your pillow, as you don't want your pillow to reap all the benefits! By the morning, your skin will have absorbed all of the goodness from the mask, and look healthy and glowing.

You can pick up this mask from Origins for €30.50, and considering you only need a pea size amount, it should last you quite a while.

Rosie

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MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish Review

So all you MAC lovers like me out there I'm sure have already heard of this "cult" product. I was very excited to get my hands on this bad boy after little thought. After all, who doesn't love beautiful glowing, luminous skin for the Summer months? (Ok, who am I kidding!? We have had little or no sun all season. Oh well, a girl can dream!) 

This is a Mineralize Skinfinish highlighting powder. It has a high frost metallic finish, which glides on beautifully to the skin. It is ideal for gently highlighting cheeks, the brow bone or can even be used all over the body. This product is perfect for using during the day, as it gives a subtle highlight, with out the "disco ball" effect to the skin. 

I use a MAC 168 brush to apply this to the tops of my cheek bone, and a little dusting across my forehead for a beautiful healthy glow. I bought this over a month ago and it still looks brand new, so I am hoping it will be a long time before I have to repurchase (which I will definitely be doing!)

Another tip is to apply this to the neck, chest and arms in the evening time. It really accentuates that summer glow, without leaving the skin "glittery". 

What do you guys think of this? Will you be giving it a try this summer?

You can check it out on the MAC website here

Rosie

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