Sparkle of Pink: ABH

Thursday, 4 January 2018

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.

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Saturday, 7 January 2017

What I Got For Christmas 2016

Happy New Year guys!

I took some time out over Christmas and the start of the New Year to spend some time with family and friends. I'm so excited for 2017 and all of the new opportunities and experiences it'll bring!

So many people have been sharing what they got for Christmas on their blogs and vlogs and after a few comments about whether or not I would do one. I decided I would. I am so thankful for everything I got from family over Christmas and by no means expected the sheer generosity of everyone.

I was lucky enough to receive two Micheal Kors products this Christmas - one which I was lusting after for months as well!

The first one I got was the Rhea Medium Backpack in a gold metallic colour that I absolutely love! I had seen the bag in Brown Thomas and just fell in love. If you are looking to invest in a bag, I would definitely recommend this one! There is a lot more room in the bag than I expected and the zipper only opens on one side which makes me feel a lot safer when walking around with it.

The second item I received was a gorgeous maroon wallet that matches the bag I got for my 18th birthday last year. It was a surprise present and I was so happy when I got it! There is plenty of card room in the wallet (coming from me, someone who owns too many cards!) and I just adore the colour. Unfortunately I couldn't find the wallet online but the website has a lot of similar styles!

The bag and the wallet (or similar designs) can be found on the Michael Kors website and they currently have a sale on as well!

If you know me, you know this picture has two of my favourite things in it; Harry Potter and scented candles.

Some of my family visited the States just before Christmas and I had to send them into Bath and Body Works to pick up a candle for me! My requirements were sweet and pink, two things that this candle most definitely is. If you don't like sweet scents I'd steer clear of the Red Velvet Cupcake candle but I love it and my room smells delicious!

Bath and Body Works candles are available from their website.

I also got a set of Harry Potter mugs from Penneys that are fab. I love Harry Potter and have done since I was tiny, the books and movies have always been on my shelves and I may have bought a few pairs of pyjamas over the years as well.

Two more things I got from the States are Taylor Swift's Wonderstruck perfume and a Victoria Secret body spray.

Wonderstruck has become like gold dust over here and I love it so much so I asked my mum to look for it while she was away. I was so happy when I got this because it's my signature scent and I am running out of my last bottle.

I also got a Victoria Secret body spray in Love Spell Night. Love Spell is one of my favourite sprays from Victoria Secret and Love Spell Night is slightly more muskier and just as divine!

Check out the full collection on Victoria Secret's website!

It wouldn't be Christmas without new makeup and I love the new products I got for Christmas and trying them out has been fab!

I love Anastasia Beverly Hill's Glow Kits and kept on hinting that Moonchild was my favourite to my sister who thankfully picked up on it! Moonchild has six duo-chrome metallic finish shades that are adventurous for highlight so if you flinch at the thought of a metallic green highlight (I wore it for NYE!) then this palette definitely isn't for you.

Moonchild is available from the ABH website and they ship to Ireland!

I also got a mini matte lip kit from Colourpop, I chose It's Vintage because it has so many shades that are perfect for all the seasons, not just the colder months. I have only worn Bianca and Love Bug, both of which I loved and cannot wait to wear the rest of these! They lasted all day and didn't smudge or transfer onto mugs which I loved.

I also got Maneater - an ultra metallic lip from Colourpop that is amazing. It's a rose gold shade and perfect for a night out if you're going for a neutral eye and a bold lip.

Both of these products are available from Colourpop's website.

I also got the NYX Glitter Primer because I recently bought a few glitters from MAC and NYX but forgot to pick up a primer so the glitter would actually stay on my lid! I have used the primer twice since Christmas and I love it! It does the job and prevents fallout which is all you need in a primer.

You can pick up the NYX Glitter Primer in their new stand in Arnotts!

The last beauty related item I got was an eye mask from Sephora. I have heard so many people rave about how great these are to wear during long haul flights and decided to try one out for myself as I have a few trips planned for 2017 already.

Sephora's collection of eye masks are available in stores and online.

The last few bits I got for Christmas are some of my favourites.

My mum picked up some essentials for me in Victoria Secret was she was in the States and I also got my all-time favourite jellies - Sour Patch Watermelon.

If you haven't tried Sour Patch Watermelon you are seriously missing out! I love them so much and if I know anyone visiting the States, I always ask them to bring home some for me.

If you guys want swatches or a review of any of the products in this post let me know in the comments below!

Happy New Year everyone and I hope you had a happy and safe break with your friends and family.