January Favourites!

Hey guys!

I can't believe it's already the end of January! The month flew by for me!

As I wasn't in college until the end of the month, I had so much time to try out new makeup and I found some new favourites along the way!

HudaBeauty Mauve Obsessions

I got this palette off CultBeauty for my birthday and I love it! The shadows range from matte to metallic and are perfect for deepening any eye look or creating an entire look from this palette!

Although the pans are small, I have so many palettes that I will never get to the end of  (this one included) and for €25, the quality is worth the size of the pans!

I found myself reaching for this palette throughout the month and was so excited when I saw the entire obsessions range in Brown Thomas the other day!

Mauve Obsessions along with the rest of the range are available from Brown Thomas for €28.

Real Techniques Angled Tweezer

I cannot tell you whether it's because this is a brand new pair of tweezers or because I haven't used one in so long but I am obsessed with this one from Real Techniques! 

Unfortunately I got this as part of a set ages ago but I only started using it recently. It is so dreamy to work with so easy to get at eyebrow hairs at awkward angles!

Payot Pate Grise L'Originale

I got this little jar sent to me a few months ago and have been using it ever since. You may have seen my instagram post on it as well!

The cream (it has a cream consistency anyway) is best dabbed on spots overnight and left to soak into the skin. I found it really helped aggravated spots overnight and they were not as noticeable the next day.

After the Christmas indulgence, this definitely helped my skin recover over the last few weeks! The only downside to this product is that it stains pillowcases so definitely put a towel over your pillowcase at night!

Payot Pate Grise L'Originale is available in pharmacies nationwide with an RRP of €23.

LOV EVENelixir Serum Foundation

This foundation is so nice! What's even better is that there's a dropper in the bottle so you minimise product wastage (yes I usually have loads of foundation left on my hand). The foundation is medium coverage so I used a concealer along with it but the lasting power was fabulous.

I tend to chop and change between foundations but with continued use, this foundation claims to even out your skin tone and improve skin elasticity!

LOV's EVENelixir serum foundation is available in selected pharmacies nationwide and retails for around €15!

Kelkin Tea Tree Roller

This tea tree skin treatment has done wonders for my skin over the past few weeks. I used this during the day, in conjunction with the payot product because this could be worn under makeup and absorbs straight into the skin.

I honestly don't know what I did before I discovered this gem, it works within hours and is travel friendly as well!

Kelkin's Tea Tree Roller is available is pharmacies nationwide for €4.60.

NYX Professional Makeup Soft Matte Lip Cream - Cairo

If you guys follow my instagram, you'll know that I'm a fan of this line already. However, I don't usually delve into the paler side of nudes but when I got this in the post I was intrigued enough to try it!

While I wouldn't wear this with a single drop of tan on me, it is a nice shade for a neutral, daytime look! I stand by what I've said in previous posts though, the soft matte lip creams are in no way matte! They may look matte but you need to blot your lips a few times to make sure nothing transfers!

Soft Matte Lip Creams are available in selected pharmacies nationwide and Arnotts, with an RRP of €8.

Urban Decay B6 Prep & Prime Spray

This spray was my saviour this month! I always sprayed it on my face before makeup, or even just on my face after skincare, if I wasn't wearing any makeup. It helped keep my oily patches at bay during the day and my makeup stay on for longer, if I was wearing any at all!

Pairing this with the All Nighter Setting Spray is a match made in heaven!

Urban Decay's B6 Spray is available in Debenhams and their Grafton Street store for €31.

What were your favourite products in January?

Do you have any recommendations for me?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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iElectron Review

Hey guys!

If you've been following me on social media, you'll know that since exams were over (just before Christmas) I sent my laptop away for repair because it was causing me serious issues!

I'm not even going to pretend I know anything about the tech world so I handed my laptop over to my dad, who is well versed in everything tech, to take care of the situation for me. 

After originally contacting Dell, the company that makes my laptop, they said my laptop needed a motherboard replacement and while I knew it was necessary, I also knew it would take ages and I wanted it back for when semester two started.

After some research, we decided to go with iElectron in Cork because I was going to be there over the festive period. After contacting them and explaining the issue, we were told they would be able to repair the laptop at component level and an entire motherboard replacement was not necessary. They even went as far as offering a free courier pickup from Dublin but as we were travelling down, we politely declined the offer.

I had issues switching on my laptop, it was taking forever to switch on and I would have to click the button quite a few times to get any reaction.

For me, iElectron seemed like the best solution. For a €20 deposit, they would run a diagnostic and then let me know what the issue was and how much the repair would cost.

On their website, iElectron says, 

'We repair any and all motherboard problems at a component level, providing a cost effective solution to an array of motherboard issues.'

while also claiming that they 'fix issues powering on a laptop'. 

I dropped the laptop off before Christmas and when I was told I could pickup the laptop, I brought my dad along with me because he knew all the jargon they would use when describing the issue.

When we went to collect the laptop, they said they couldn't repair it. They told us the issue was the issue we described when dropping it off and they acted like we didn't have a clue about what was wrong in the first place. However, when dropping the laptop off, my dad had described the issue to the employee who took note of what he said.

My dad then asked would we be getting the deposit back as the deposit is a deposit on the repair they carry out. When the employee said no, my dad and myself were both shocked. While I understand they were not in a position to fix the laptop, they should not have said the could when we had contacted them previously. Before we brought the laptop down, we contacted the company, described the issue in detail and were told that they could indeed fix my laptop at component level. On an ethics level and general customer satisfaction level, when the company had to go back on their word and not even offer an apology, they should've given us the deposit back or at least have said sorry for misleading us in the first place.

iElectron is a company I most certainly would not recommend to anyone looking for a motherboard repair and from looking at more recent reviews of theirs, based on iPhone repairs, I would not be going there for something like that either!                          

Thankfully, a company called TechHelp, who we've used previously for a MacBook repair, based in Lucan, were able to fix my laptop and it's like a brand new machine (They carried out a GPU reflow)! I got it back on Tuesday, which was basically the start of the semester and my power on button is fixed! I haven't encountered any problems with it yet (and hopefully I won't) and I also have a three month warranty on it.

I have provided links below, one to iElectron's page on motherboard repairs where they claim to have the ability to fix the issue I encountered, which they most definitely cannot do, and to TechHelp, who were very helpful!

Have you ever encountered an experience like this?

How did you handle it?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

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https://www.ielectron.ie/repair-services/laptop-computer-repairs/motherboard-repairs

http://techhelp.ie/


Since posting this review, iElectron have gotten in contact with me and apologised for the way the situation was handled.

Back to College Guide

Hey guys!

So this post is a little late because I only got my laptop back yesterday! I don't mind though because it is fixed (Thank you TechHelp!), much faster and I have so much more space on it for pictures and college work now!

I went back to college on Monday and as I'm entering my second semester of year two, I decided I would share some of my hints and tips on how to survive the semester with you guys!

Exam Results

I'm lucky enough to have my year semesterised so I have exams before Christmas and in May. My results came out today and I know how daunting it is to wait for your results. 

The thoughts that are running through your mind before the results go online are the worst part of it all, in my opinion. The best advice I can give anyone waiting on exam results is to get some form of rescue remedy if anxiety is an issue for you (I get the gummy stars because I am a total child at heart) and to seek out your tutors or lecturers if you have an issue with a result or would like some feedback.

While failing an exam will have financial repercussions, it is not the end of the world! You will be able to continue in your degree and there are numerous supports available in colleges if you need help!

Check out your SU's websites for the supports available to you, should you need them.

Reading Lists

We all know the drill, you promise yourself you'll stay on top of your readings and by week two you're already behind. While the volume of readings you need to do for each module can be daunting, setting aside a half hour, once or twice a week, for each module, is completely doable and you will stay on top of everything and actually know what your lecturer is talking about!

If you don't want to buy the books because they are really expensive, go to the library and get the book out, it's a lot easier (albeit time consuming) to photocopy the relevant chapters you need for each module or search for a free pdf version online!

Stay Alert

Although your day may not be as long as it was in secondary school, it can still be tiring! Be sure to eat and drink between lectures so you can actually pay attention in each one!

Grab a coffee, water or a snack from an SU or campus shop between lectures and you won't regret it!

Go to your Lectures!

Okay so this may sound incredibly obvious but you'd be surprised how fast a room full of people drop like flies after the first week or two. 

It is so important to attend your lectures, tutorials and labs! You're there to learn, you've paid to learn and if you want to do well in a module, you'll actually have to go to lectures!

Get Involved

A lot of colleges run a 'Refreshers Week' towards the start of the second semester and it is the perfect time to join a club or society that you regret not joining in September. 

Have a look at their social media and see what the society or club does, how you can get involved and if you already know anyone in the society/club. It is a great way to make new friends and fully immerse yourself in college life!

Go on Class Trips

I went on a society trip last year and had such a good time! This year I'm hoping to go on one of my class trips during our spring break. It's such a unique opportunity to go away with a bunch of people you don't know very well (I always make sure to go with at least one friend as well) and discover a new city!

Society or class trips are usually inexpensive and they try to be accessible for everyone within the group, most run on a first-come, first-served basis but it's definitely a college experience you don't want to miss out on!

Make Use of What's on Offer

If you're lucky enough to have access to a gym, pool, other sporting facilities or even a cinema (yes, UCD has one...) be sure to actually use them! Most colleges that have an on-campus gym also include some form of a membership in your fees.

If you have access to facilities like these, make sure to use them!

Have Fun!

Whether it's cocktails with your crew or a pizza night with your pals, don't forget to have fun as well! College isn't supposed to be pure work, there's room for fun too!

Go on a few nights out, head to the local bar or just stay in and catch up with everyone!

Avail of Student Discounts

While flashing your student card in some stores will get you that handy discount, having a student leap card will get you even more discounts (10% off in Boots, how bad!).

Download apps like Unidays and sign up for student discounts, if you're unsure if a shop has a student discount, just ask!

It's literally saving you money, just for being a student!

Good luck to everyone going back to college, or already back in college for the semester ahead!

Ciara,

xoxo.

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2017 Year in Review

Happy New Year guys!

I've taken a break from blogging over the festive period and have just gotten access to a laptop since mine is getting repaired!

2017 saw some big changes in my life and my blog and I'm doing a roundup of my favourite makeup products and movies, etc.. from the past year!

Favourite Foundation

My sister was the one who told me to try this foundation because she loved it and wow was it fab! The formula is lightweight but the coverage is completely buildable and perfect for day and night looks. 

I even use a darker shade for when I'm wearing tan!

L'Oreal Infallible 24Hr Matte retails for €11.99 is Boots and is currently on offer, 3 for 2!

Favourite Concealer

Okay so my sister may have discovered this one too... While she was in the US she went a little crazy in Sephora and came home with Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer and I love this product!

Sometimes all I wear is the concealer to cover up my dark undereye circles and blemishes, some powder and I'm set for the day! The coverage in this is unreal and I cannot wait to get my hands on another tube!

Tarte Shape Tape Concealer is available from their site for €26.

Favourite Mascara

Too Faced is definitely an up-and-coming brand in Ireland, especially since their launch in Debenhams during the summer. I have been using Better Than Sex for a few years now and it is definitely my favourite mascara of the year.

While I have yet to try the waterproof version, the original formula doesn't clump and gives fab volume to short lashes like my own.

Too Faced's Better Than Sex Mascara is available from Debenhams for €23.

Favourite Eyelashes

For €12.95, these lashes are definitely an investment but are reusable and part of the luxury lash range! Think timeless elegance combined with unforgettable drama, these lashes are perfect for a sassy day look or a classic night look.

I love using Irish brands and supporting a fellow blogger is always a good thing!

SOSU's Taylor lashes are available from the site for €12.95.

Favourite Primer

My skin has gone from sensitive and dry to sensitive and combination in the past year but this prep (and prime) spray has kept my oily skin at bay during the day when I have makeup on! It's also great for helping my makeup stay put throughout long shifts!

With the store open on Grafton Street now, there's no excuse not to go in and treat yourself!

Urban Decay's B6 Prep Priming Spray retails for €30.

Favourite Highlighter

I love this palette so much. I got it last Christmas and it has seen a lot of wear since! The colours are so diverse and I always get compliments on my highlight when I wear any of the shades!

My favourite has to be lucky clover because it is so good at catching the light and not everyone wears a green highlight so it definitely makes me memorable!

The ABH Moonchild palette is available from the site for €46.

Favourite Eyeshadow Palette

Another purchase from the States, this palette is full of mattes, metallics and warm tones. I found myself reaching for this palette pretty much before every shift because the shadows are so pigmented and effortlessly blend to create a perfect look suitable for work!

The Narissist Loaded Eyeshadow palette is available from the Nars website for €55.

Favourite Album

I mean how could Reputation not be my favourite album of the year? The songs are amazing and the development from 1989 to Reputation is just unrivaled by another other album progression I've ever heard. 

Don't Blame Me has to be my favourite track of the album as well. Roll on June when I finally get to see Taylor again!

Favourite Movie

Beauty and the Beast was one of the most anticipated movies of 2017 and it did not disappoint me at all. From the costumes to the actors this movie had me entranced from beginning to end.

I have watched the movie so many times since I first saw it and I love it more and more each time!

Favourite TV Series

I jumped on the Riverdale bandwagon a little late so I got to binge seven episode at once but it did not disappoint at all! From a gripping plot to loveable characters, this is a most for anyone who wants to start a new series in 2018!

I mean how cute is Archie, I know KJ isn't actually ginger but he is just so cute!

You can catch Riverdale on Netflix!

Favourite Book

Focusing on the events of the Battle of Berlin in 1945, this book was gripping from beginning to end. If you're into history you'll love this book!

Favourite Trip

My trip to Milan in August came at just the right time for me! I spent a week discovering the city, its sites and everything else the surrounding area had to offer.

Milan is such a beautiful city and I cannot wait to go back to Italy and visit Rome this year! I'm hoping to go somewhere every month this year, home or abroad, so if you have any idea let me know in the comments!

What topped 2017 for you?

Was it a good year overall?

Let me know in the comments below!

Ciara,

xoxo.

Twitter: twitter.com/ciarakittyk

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Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleofpink
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