Weekend Wish List - Black & White

 

Arrows of Love T-Shirt ~ £28 London Loves LA

Celine T-Shirt ~ €40 Cari's Closet

Fashionary Notebook ~ €29 Urban Outfitters

White Beanie ~ £12.50 London Loves LA

Catrice - "Pimp My Shrimp" Nail Review

 

Catrice Ultimate Nail Lacquer - Shade 02 "Pimp My Shrimp"

 

Orange obsession.

I’ve gone a little orange mad and I’m taking it out on my nails.

"Pimp my Shrimp" is a great tester orange for those who want to be right on trend but don't want their nails to look OTT. Catrice (Penneys, Cara Pharmacy) have around three different shades of orange, the ultimate being Orang-Utan. The colour is beautiful, a deep coral and in a certain light, almost veering towards red. There is a high shine finish, as with all shades in the Ultimate Lacquer range, and with a good tan the colour gives the impression of longer-looking fingers!

Catrice is Essence’s sophisticated big sister and I’m in love with all their nail colours and usually pick one up anytime I’m in town because they're so cheap (which in turn has resulted in quite an extensive nail polish collection). What Catrice hasn't skimped on, however, is quality and you will get a good 3-4 days out of two coats before chipping. To make a statement, match your nails to your lip colour with Catrice's "Princess Peach" lipstick, which is sure to be my next purchase. 

Rebecca x

What Catrice nail colour do you love?

MAC’s Up the Amp Lipstick Review

 

Do you feel lucky, punk?

Since the Met Gala Ball 2013, punk has become a major trend this season. MAC’s Up the Amp (€18 – Brown Thomas) in amplified is the go to lip colour for that rock-star look.

As I’ve mentioned before , this is my favourite MAC finish. The amplified range provides intense colour with a long lasting and creamy texture. As with every lipstick, it all depends on how you wear it. I bought my Up the Amp lipstick when I was looking for a strong purple in the autumn. However, I’ve found that it works just as well for this season as a bright colour pop with a monochrome outfit. I love it with my pale skin, a small amount of blusher and mascara teamed with my thick black and white stripe optical art sweatshirt from Pull & Bear. In winter, you could try a more gothic look with eyeliner, leather leggings and chunky gold accessories.

Spend time applying your perfect pout. This colour really doesn’t require a lip pencil, you could easily get away without it. Use the pointed end to create a peaked cupid’s bow. Correct any mistakes with a cotton q-tip. The colour is a vibrant purple, almost burgundy, and lasts and lasts and lasts. I’d recommend this as an investment buy for AW 13/14 as well as looking current and on trend right now.

Rebecca x

What other amplified lipsticks are your favourite?

Benefit's The POREfessional Review

Problem pores? You'd better call a POREfessional!

Before BB and CC creams, there was Benefit's The POREfessional (Cara Pharmacy, €34), a pro balm to minimize the appearance of pores. This is the latest sample from my little magic B Right Kit. Forget about your toners and primers, moisturisers and concealers and have faith in this one little balm that lasts forever. You truly only need a pea-sized amount to cover your T-zone, which is the area you are most likely to have trouble with pesky large pores. 

 Foundation is fastest to wear off around the area where pores are most prominent on your face. All the powder in the world can't stop it. However, the POREfessional basically allows your foundation to last longer on your skin by creating a silky smooth barrier, like a second skin, over the pores. 

The balm has a light foundation colour, which I imagine won’t suit all skin types but did match mine. I think they should bring out at least two more shades for a wider choice. However, the colour doesn’t show up strong and is really for blending in with your skin tone.

 For optimum effect target the top of your cheeks, forehead, bridge of nose, top lip and chin area. It sinks straight in. Apply foundation as normal and notice just how long your foundation will last, especially on these rare and wonderful summer days. 

The smell is clean and fresh. All skin care products from Benefit have the same scent, which is great if you plan to use them all together. Even better if you have a strong smelling foundation like MAC Studio Fix, a scent which I know some MAC fans (my sister included) don't appreciate!

Also, if you’re blessed with gorgeous, blemish-free skin then this balm is really all you need to cheat a day without make-up. It also has a SPF of 15 PA ++.

Fantastic!

But what else would you expect from a POREfessional?

Rebecca x

 

What are your favourite skin primers?

Essence - "Free Hugs"!

Essence Colour & Go - Shade 106 "Free Hugs"

 

This cheery nail polish will definitely put you in a free hugs kind of mood. Bubble-gum pink is perfect for your summer wardrobe. The colour works as a deep pastel with just one coat and then as a neon shade with two. I'd go with two coats for better durability. Essence’s Colour & Go range is great for ladies who like to play around with their nail colour often. The formula dries fast and has a handy brush for three-stroke application. I did find that the polish chipped easily after about two days but I don’t think it’s fair to expect any more at this price point. Brands that are more expensive have disappointed me in the past. There is a fantastic range of colours, especially for high summer, so colour and go check them out!

Rebecca x
 

 

Benefit’s “They’re Real!” Mascara

They’re real!...No, really.
 

It is the quest of every make-up lover to find that elusive, perfect mascara. Benefit’s “They’re Real!” Mascara, the world’s number one bestseller, is the only mascara that I have ever repurchased (which for me says it all) and has certainly lived up to its cult product status.

The hype clearly got to the Benebabes of Sligo, as the mascara completely sold out on the launch of the brand's first beauty bar in Cara Pharmacy’s Quayside Shopping Centre branch.

I quite simply love this product; however, there comes attached a hefty price tag of €26. With so many cheaper options available from the high street, what is it about this mascara that makes it worth its money? For me, it is all about two things: the wand and application.

The tip of the wand is spiked, catching your teeniest, tiniest of lashes, giving them extra oomph. I’d recommend a second or third coat to build towards that false lash effect. For a pretty and simplistic look, one coat is plenty. Lashes are divided, impressively lengthy, and most important of all, clump free. This is thanks to the tube and wand’s unique patented design. It’s not waterproof, although it never seems to budge out of place (unless you’re a blubbering wreck coming from a weepy in the cinema, then perhaps steer clear). The mascara is quite inky on removal and patience is required to prevent panda eyes in the morning.

At €26, it is one of the most expensive on the market but I do think it is worth it. However if this is way beyond your budget or you’re a permanently broke student like myself, I’d recommend waiting for one of Cara Pharmacy or Brown Thomas’s Beauty Events.

Also, it is almost guaranteed that at least one person will ask you if you’re fluttering false lashes to which you may smugly reply, “Nope, they’re real!”

Rebecca x

 

Benefit’s They’re Real! Mascara-overhyped and overpriced or must have beauty essential?